White County, Tennessee tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for White County...

20confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: May 4, 2021, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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.

The record

At a glance

Total201950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril6 of 20
StrongestF4Apr 3, 1974
Deaths12whole paths, see note
Injuries85whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 6 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 2: 13 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 1: 0: 112 PM: 1: 1: 03 PM: 2: 3: 16 PM: 0: 2: 19 PM: 0: 1: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 02010: 0: 1: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 3: 1: 0: 0: 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
5
EF1
11
EF2
3
EF4
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

F4, April 3, 1974

10 deaths, 51 injuries Strongest

F4, April 3, 1974

28.4 mile path Longest path

28.4 miles, F4

April 3, 1974, whole path Widest

800 yards, EF1

April 11, 2008
Every tornado

All 20 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 4, 2021EF01.11 mi50 yd00
Mar 29, 2020EF06.9 mi75 yd00
Feb 5, 2020EF16.39 mi250 yd00
Feb 5, 2020EF13.86 mi200 yd00
Nov 6, 2018EF04.02 mi150 yd00
Apr 28, 2014EF12.05 mi100 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF02.16 mi50 yd00
Feb 29, 2012EF114.84 mi300 yd10
Mar 23, 2011EF29 mi100 yd00
Apr 11, 2008EF11.75 mi800 yd00
Nov 14, 2007EF00.67 mi100 yd00
Mar 19, 2003F13.6 mi200 yd00
May 29, 1983F11 mi20 yd01
Apr 18, 1978F10.5 mi440 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F216.2 mi300 yd028
Apr 3, 1974F13 mi100 yd00
Apr 3, 1974F428.4 mi700 yd1051
Mar 15, 1973F20.1 mi100 yd13
May 13, 1966F10.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 17, 1965F12 mi73 yd02
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for White County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.