McDowell County tornado history

6 tornadoes touched McDowell County, North Carolina between 1950 and 2025 — about 0.1 a year. The strongest was rated F2 (May 7, 1998).

6tornadoes since 1950

F2strongest rating

0killed · 0 injured

4 milongest path · 2000

(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5· dots = start point only

By rating

(E)F05

(E)F10

(E)F21

(E)F30

(E)F40

(E)F50

JFMAMJJASOND

Peak month: April.

’50’60’70’80’90’00’10’20

Date	Rating	Path	Width
May 7, 1998	F2	3.7 mi	880 yd
May 24, 2000	F0	4 mi	30 yd
Apr 10, 2021	EF0	0.6 mi	20 yd
Oct 14, 2014	EF0	0.5 mi	100 yd
Apr 19, 2019	EF0	0.4 mi	50 yd
Apr 20, 1996	F0	0.1 mi	30 yd

Date	Rating	Path	Width
Apr 10, 2021	EF0	0.6 mi	20 yd
Apr 19, 2019	EF0	0.4 mi	50 yd
Oct 14, 2014	EF0	0.5 mi	100 yd
May 24, 2000	F0	4 mi	30 yd
May 7, 1998	F2	3.7 mi	880 yd
Apr 20, 1996	F0	0.1 mi	30 yd

How many tornadoes has McDowell County, North Carolina had?

6 tornadoes touched McDowell County, North Carolina between 1950 and 2025 in the NOAA Storm Prediction Center database — about 0.1 per year.

What was the strongest tornado in McDowell County?

The strongest rating recorded was F2 on May 7, 1998, with a 3.7-mile path.

When is tornado season in McDowell County?

Most of its tornadoes happened in April (3 of 6). Tornadoes can occur in any month, so keep alerts on year-round.

Right now: live tornado warnings map · alerts for your location. Dates link to that day’s full storm reports where available.