Knox County, Tennessee tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: August 7, 2023, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Knox County

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The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 17
StrongestF3Feb 21, 1993
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries32whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Knox County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 4May: 6Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 1Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 6 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 0: 03 PM: 4: 0: 16 PM: 4: 0: 39 PM: 1: 0: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 3: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
7
EF1
6
EF2
3
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F1, April 3, 1974

2 deaths, 21 injuries Strongest

F3, February 21, 1993

16 mile path Longest path

16 miles, F3

February 21, 1993, whole path Widest

200 yards, F2

April 15, 1965
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 7, 2023EF23.7 mi200 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF02.1 mi100 yd00
Mar 2, 2012EF00.3 mi70 yd00
Jun 23, 2011EF01 mi100 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF01 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF11 mi50 yd00
May 15, 2003F11.5 mi50 yd00
May 15, 2003F12.5 mi50 yd00
May 23, 2000F10.5 mi40 yd01
May 18, 1995F12 mi23 yd00
Jun 30, 1993F01 mi10 yd00
Jun 30, 1993F02 mi10 yd01
Feb 21, 1993F316 mi150 yd03
May 27, 1981F00.4 mi50 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F11 mi150 yd221
Apr 15, 1965F27.4 mi200 yd06
May 2, 1953F20.8 mi100 yd00
Cities

Cities in Knox County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.