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Alabaster, AL Tornado History — 146 Tornadoes Since 1950

Alabama · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Alabaster, AL had?

Alabaster has had 146 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 18 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Alabaster?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Alabaster was an EF0 on March 15, 2025.

When is tornado season in Alabaster?

April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Alabaster, with 43 on record. April through June account for 64 of the 146 tornadoes on record near Alabaster.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
146
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
18
12.3% of total
Peak Month
April
43 on record
Per Year Avg
1.9
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Alabaster

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 70 total, averaging 3.5 per year over this window.

2026 0+1 prelim
2025 3
2024 2
2023 3
2022 4
2021 6
2020 2
2019 6
2018 2
2017 5
2016 2
2015 2
2014 3
2013 1
2012 2
2011 12
2010 1
2009 6
2008 4
2007 4

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near Alabaster since December 29, 2025

This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is not counted in the confirmed totals above.

Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.

Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.

Preliminary May 22, 2026
4 SSW Abernant, Tuscaloosa County, AL
TDS observed from KBMX radar. (BMX)

Within 25 miles of Alabaster. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 11
1960s 12
1970s 18
1980s 11
1990s 7
2000s 31
2010s 36
2020s 20

Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating

F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.

EF0 39
EF1 65
EF2 24
EF3 11
EF4 5
EF5 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 7
Feb 14
Mar 25
Apr 43
May 18
Jun 3
Jul 2
Aug 5
Sep 0
Oct 3
Nov 10
Dec 16

Casualties on Record Near Alabaster

175 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Alabaster since 1950, across 13 events. 2,691 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Alabaster.

The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 64 fatalities along a 80.7-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Alabaster

Deadliest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — 64 fatalities, 80.7 mi path, 2,600 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — $2.2B in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — 2,600 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on May 27, 1973 — 139.1 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on March 15, 2025.

What the record shows near Alabaster

The 2010s were the busiest decade near Alabaster, with 36 of the 146 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 20 so far. The Alabaster record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Alabaster, 104 reached EF0 or EF1 and 42 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Alabaster is rated EF5, of which 2 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Alabaster has averaged 3.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 70 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 12, and 1 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Alabaster, AL had?
Since 1950, 146 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Alabaster. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Alabaster?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Alabaster was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 64 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Alabaster?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Alabaster, with 43 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Alabaster been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Alabaster, there have been 2 EF5 and 5 EF4 tornadoes recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Alabaster?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Alabaster was an EF0 on March 15, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Alabaster?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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