Wilkes County tornado history

12 tornadoes touched Wilkes County, North Carolina between 1950 and 2025 — about 0.2 a year. The strongest was rated F1 (May 27, 1973).

12tornadoes since 1950

F1strongest rating

0killed · 4 injured

32.3 milongest path · 1973

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

By rating

(E)F03

(E)F19

(E)F20

(E)F30

(E)F40

(E)F50

JFMAMJJASOND

Peak month: August.

’50’60’70’80’90’00’10’20

Date	Rating	Path	Width	Injured
May 27, 1973	F1	32.3 mi	10 yd	3
Oct 23, 2017	EF1	8.6 mi	275 yd	1
Oct 8, 2017	EF1	7.1 mi	300 yd	0
Apr 4, 1977	F1	6.4 mi	100 yd	0
Apr 11, 2024	EF1	6 mi	150 yd	0
Sep 5, 2011	EF1	1.3 mi	250 yd	0
Jun 1, 1974	F1	1 mi	10 yd	0
Sep 26, 2024	EF1	0.4 mi	75 yd	0
May 31, 1975	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0
Aug 16, 1994	F0	2 mi	50 yd	0
Aug 17, 2021	EF0	0.7 mi	50 yd	0
Aug 17, 2021	EF0	0.7 mi	75 yd	0

Date	Rating	Path	Width	Injured
Sep 26, 2024	EF1	0.4 mi	75 yd	0
Apr 11, 2024	EF1	6 mi	150 yd	0
Aug 17, 2021	EF0	0.7 mi	50 yd	0
Aug 17, 2021	EF0	0.7 mi	75 yd	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF1	8.6 mi	275 yd	1
Oct 8, 2017	EF1	7.1 mi	300 yd	0
Sep 5, 2011	EF1	1.3 mi	250 yd	0
Aug 16, 1994	F0	2 mi	50 yd	0
Apr 4, 1977	F1	6.4 mi	100 yd	0
May 31, 1975	F1	0.1 mi	10 yd	0
Jun 1, 1974	F1	1 mi	10 yd	0
May 27, 1973	F1	32.3 mi	10 yd	3

How many tornadoes has Wilkes County, North Carolina had?

12 tornadoes touched Wilkes County, North Carolina between 1950 and 2025 in the NOAA Storm Prediction Center database — about 0.2 per year.

What was the strongest tornado in Wilkes County?

The strongest rating recorded was F1 on May 27, 1973, with a 32.3-mile path.

When is tornado season in Wilkes County?

Most of its tornadoes happened in August (3 of 12). 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 (2004 onward).