Lawrence County, Tennessee tornadoes

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44 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: April 3, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total441950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthMarch9 of 44
StrongestF5Apr 16, 1998
Deaths6whole paths, see note
Injuries138whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 1Feb: 7Mar: 9Apr: 9May: 9Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 3JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 9 of 44 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 0: 1: 03 AM: 0: 1: 36 AM: 1: 0: 19 AM: 1: 1: 212 PM: 0: 2: 43 PM: 8: 4: 56 PM: 4: 1: 39 PM: 0: 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: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 3: 1: 2: 02000: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 3: 12010: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 12020: 3: 2: 0: 2: 1: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
15
EF1
14
EF2
8
EF3
5
EF4
1
EF5
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.

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F5, April 16, 1998

3 deaths, 36 injuries Strongest

F5, April 16, 1998

69.4 mile path Longest path

69.4 miles, F5

April 16, 1998, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F3

February 17, 1956

All 44 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 3, 2025EF00.07 mi25 yd00
May 14, 2024EF03.62 mi100 yd00
Feb 16, 2023EF03.44 mi200 yd00
Feb 16, 2023EF03.3 mi150 yd00
Dec 6, 2021EF00.27 mi25 yd00
Mar 25, 2021EF222.12 mi350 yd01
Feb 12, 2020EF01.89 mi100 yd00
Feb 5, 2020EF110.51 mi300 yd01
Feb 5, 2020EF110.05 mi300 yd00
Dec 16, 2019EF03.76 mi25 yd00
Nov 5, 2018EF02.33 mi150 yd00
Nov 5, 2018EF14.43 mi300 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF348.38 mi800 yd07
Apr 27, 2011EF12.66 mi150 yd01
May 1, 2010EF03.11 mi100 yd00
May 1, 2009EF15.28 mi150 yd02
May 8, 2008EF13.02 mi440 yd00
Apr 11, 2008EF310.34 mi100 yd01
Jan 10, 2008EF21.28 mi40 yd00
Oct 18, 2004F10.7 mi200 yd00
May 5, 2003F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jul 20, 2000F00.1 mi20 yd00
May 20, 2000F00.3 mi10 yd00
Apr 16, 1998F569.4 mi1,760 yd336
Apr 8, 1998F00.5 mi200 yd00

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20268 WSW Minor HillNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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 12, 2026.