Bessemer, AL Tornado History — 153 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bessemer, AL had?
Bessemer has had 153 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 18 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Bessemer?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bessemer was an EF1 on November 25, 2025.
When is tornado season in Bessemer?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bessemer, with 44 on record. April through June account for 65 of the 153 tornadoes on record near Bessemer.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Bessemer
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 70 total, averaging 3.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Bessemer since December 29, 2025
These are 3 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
TDS observed from KBMX radar. (BMX)
An EF-0 tornado with winds up to 80 mph was confirmed in western Jefferson County. Path length 5.83 miles and width 200 yards. (BMX)
Numerous reports of damage along Hwy 11 near Roosevelt Blvd and Mary Taylor Rd. Video confirmation of a tornado from social media. (BMX)
Within 25 miles of Bessemer. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Bessemer
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Bessemer and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on November 24, 2025 and the most recent on November 24, 2025. They are already counted in the Bessemer totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
The tornado began in the vicinity of Hagood Mountain Road in northeast Jefferson County. The tornado then quickly moved northeastward... ending in the vicinity of Brash (BMX)
An EF0 tornado downed trees near West Jefferson and Graysville. (BMX)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Tornadoes by Decade
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.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Bessemer
163 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bessemer since 1950, across 15 events. 2,619 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Bessemer.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 64 fatalities along a 80.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bessemer
What the record shows near Bessemer
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Bessemer, with 33 of the 153 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 24 so far. The Bessemer record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Bessemer, 106 reached EF0 or EF1 and 47 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Bessemer is rated EF5, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Bessemer has averaged 3.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 70 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 10, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.