Madison County, Tennessee tornadoes

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35confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: May 20, 2025, EF0. 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 Madison County

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The record

At a glance

Total351950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 35
StrongestF4May 4, 2003
Deaths21whole paths, see note
Injuries299whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 2Feb: 3Mar: 4Apr: 6May: 7Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 5Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 7 of 35 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 1: 2: 03 AM: 1: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 012 PM: 2: 0: 23 PM: 3: 2: 36 PM: 7: 3: 09 PM: 2: 3: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01990: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 22000: 0: 0: 2: 3: 1: 0: 1: 0: 3: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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
9
EF1
15
EF2
4
EF3
4
EF4
3

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

F4, May 4, 2003

11 deaths, 86 injuries Strongest

F4, May 4, 2003

39 mile path Longest path

39 miles, F4

May 4, 2003, whole path Widest

880 yards, F4

May 4, 2003
Every tornado

All 35 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 20, 2025EF01.29 mi75 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF01.89 mi150 yd00
May 26, 2024EF110.93 mi550 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF17.09 mi250 yd00
Mar 30, 2022EF18.49 mi175 yd00
Dec 11, 2021EF17.86 mi300 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF11.21 mi50 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF20.38 mi150 yd00
Feb 5, 2008EF47.61 mi125 yd051
Feb 5, 2008EF331.13 mi600 yd314
Sep 22, 2006F13 mi25 yd00
Oct 19, 2004F00.5 mi25 yd00
May 5, 2003F04 mi200 yd00
May 4, 2003F321 mi440 yd00
May 4, 2003F439 mi880 yd1186
Nov 10, 2002F00.3 mi66 yd00
Nov 10, 2002F14 mi220 yd00
Jan 17, 1999F416 mi500 yd6106
Jan 17, 1999F322 mi300 yd02
Nov 7, 1996F07 mi25 yd00
Jun 25, 1992F03 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 1991F00.3 mi10 yd00
Oct 4, 1990F12 mi40 yd00
Nov 19, 1988F212 mi90 yd01
Nov 4, 1988F16 mi50 yd00
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.