Opelika, AL Tornado History — 99 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Opelika, AL had?
Opelika has had 99 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 8 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Opelika?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Opelika was an EF0 on May 3, 2025.
When is tornado season in Opelika?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Opelika, with 29 on record. April through June account for 40 of the 99 tornadoes on record near Opelika.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Opelika
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 56 total, averaging 2.8 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Opelika
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Opelika and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 3, 2025 and the most recent on May 3, 2025. It is already counted in the Opelika totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
A weak EF0 tornado embedded in a line of severe thunderstorms occurred in the Salem area on the evening of May 3. Max winds 75 mph and path length 3.76 miles. (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 Opelika
49 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Opelika since 1950, across 7 events. 730 injuries have been reported across all events. 2019 was the deadliest year on record near Opelika.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on March 3, 2019, which caused 23 fatalities along a 68.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Opelika
What the record shows near Opelika
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Opelika, with 29 of the 99 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 13 so far. The Opelika record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Opelika, 68 reached EF0 or EF1 and 30 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Opelika is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 1 near Opelika is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Opelika has averaged 2.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 56 in total. 2009 was the busiest of them with 10, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.