Willacy County, Texas tornadoes

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

21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: August 15, 2023, EFU. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Willacy County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJune4 of 21
StrongestF2Jun 1, 1962
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries3whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

June is the peak month, with 4 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 26 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 5: 2: 36 PM: 2: 1: 09 PM: 0: 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12000: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 12010: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
15
EF1
3
EF2
2
Unknown
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

Strongest

F2, June 1, 1962

1 mile path Longest path

25.5 miles, F2

May 24, 1970, whole path Widest

100 yards, F2

May 24, 1970
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 15, 2023EFU0.05 mi10 yd00
Jul 27, 2018EF01.88 mi25 yd00
Oct 30, 2015EF01.61 mi25 yd01
Oct 30, 2015EF10.65 mi25 yd00
Apr 20, 2012EF00.19 mi10 yd00
Mar 29, 2012EF00.18 mi25 yd00
Jun 30, 2010EF00.77 mi20 yd00
Sep 22, 2009EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Aug 26, 2008EF00.1 mi25 yd00
Nov 19, 2007EF01 mi10 yd00
Aug 31, 2005F02 mi75 yd00
May 29, 2002F02 mi25 yd00
Sep 9, 2001F00.1 mi15 yd00
Jun 8, 2001F00.1 mi25 yd00
Apr 26, 1999F02.9 mi30 yd00
Sep 20, 1970F15.7 mi27 yd00
May 24, 1970F225.5 mi100 yd01
Jun 4, 1968F00.5 mi17 yd00
Jun 1, 1962F21 mi50 yd01
Jul 24, 1959F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 29, 1957F10.5 mi33 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 8, 2026LyfordNot 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

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Willacy 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 13, 2026.