Lee County, Texas tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: March 21, 2022, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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.

The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJanuary8 of 31
StrongestF3Apr 7, 1980
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries25whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 8Feb: 3Mar: 5Apr: 5May: 2Jun: 0Jul: 0Aug: 2Sep: 2Oct: 1Nov: 2Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January is the peak month, with 8 of 31 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 2: 2: 19 AM: 0: 1: 212 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 5: 3: 56 PM: 3: 1: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 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

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 3: 1: 01960: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 2: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 6: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
12
EF2
6
EF3
4

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

F3, April 7, 1980

1 deaths, 5 injuries Strongest

F3, April 7, 1980

31.7 mile path Longest path

56.6 miles, F2

September 4, 1956, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F3

March 20, 1957
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 21, 2022EF12.46 mi50 yd00
Mar 21, 2022EF05.53 mi50 yd00
May 19, 2015EF02.14 mi100 yd01
Oct 13, 2012EF00.18 mi20 yd00
Jan 21, 1998F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jan 21, 1998F11 mi400 yd00
Jan 21, 1998F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jan 21, 1998F00.2 mi100 yd00
Jan 11, 1998F11 mi100 yd00
Jan 11, 1998F12.5 mi400 yd00
Jan 12, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Nov 5, 1994F22 mi100 yd00
Sep 1, 1994F00.1 mi100 yd00
Jan 14, 1991F11 mi100 yd00
Nov 15, 1987F21.5 mi200 yd08
May 21, 1983F12 mi100 yd01
Apr 7, 1980F331.7 mi100 yd15
Mar 10, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 3, 1972F11 mi10 yd00
Aug 12, 1971F10.3 mi10 yd00
Feb 21, 1971F10.3 mi10 yd00
Feb 23, 1962F22 mi50 yd00
Feb 15, 1962F12 mi10 yd00
Apr 8, 1961F10.2 mi17 yd00
Apr 27, 1958F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 2, 20266 SW GIDDINGSNot 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

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.