VORTEX
TORNADO HISTORY
← All Cities

Hot Springs, AR Tornado History — 99 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arkansas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Hot Springs, AR had?

Hot Springs has had 99 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 11 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Hot Springs?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hot Springs was an EF1 on October 18, 2025.

When is tornado season in Hot Springs?

March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hot Springs, with 21 on record. April through June account for 39 of the 99 tornadoes on record near Hot Springs.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
99
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
11
11.1% of total
Peak Month
March
21 on record
Per Year Avg
1.3
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Hot Springs

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 33 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 4
2024 2
2023 1
2022 2
2021 0
2020 0
2019 0
2018 0
2017 4
2016 1
2015 0
2014 0
2013 4
2012 0
2011 8
2010 1
2009 0
2008 6
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Hot Springs

2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Hot Springs and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 19, 2025 and the most recent on October 18, 2025. They are already counted in the Hot Springs totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

October 18, 2025
Bismarck, Hot Spring County, AR
Multiple reports of a tornado on the ground at Highway 128 and Hickory Grove in New DeRoche area. (LZK)
EF1° May 20, 2025
2 E Degray Lake State P, Hot Spring County, AR
House shifted off foundation... but still mostly in tact. Additionally numerous trees uprooted and snapped along the path. Preliminarily rated at EF1 with maximum estim (LZK)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 6
1970s 10
1980s 12
1990s 14
2000s 21
2010s 18
2020s 9

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 14
EF1 49
EF2 24
EF3 9
EF4 2
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 7
Feb 2
Mar 21
Apr 17
May 21
Jun 1
Jul 1
Aug 0
Sep 6
Oct 2
Nov 13
Dec 8

Casualties on Record Near Hot Springs

8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Hot Springs since 1950, across 3 events. 226 injuries have been reported across all events. 1997 was the deadliest year on record near Hot Springs.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on March 1, 1997, which caused 6 fatalities along a 27.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Hot Springs

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on March 1, 1997 — 6 fatalities, 27.0 mi path, 1,053 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF3 on April 25, 2011 — $23.0M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F4 on March 1, 1997 — 1,053 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on May 26, 1955 — 28.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on October 18, 2025.

What the record shows near Hot Springs

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Hot Springs, with 21 of the 99 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 9 so far. The Hot Springs record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Hot Springs, 63 reached EF0 or EF1 and 35 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Hot Springs is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 1 near Hot Springs is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Hot Springs has averaged 1.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 33 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 8, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Hot Springs, AR had?
Since 1950, 99 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Hot Springs. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Hot Springs?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Hot Springs was an F4 on March 1, 1997, which caused 6 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Hot Springs?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hot Springs, with 21 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 Hot Springs been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Hot Springs, there have been 0 EF5 and 2 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 Hot Springs?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hot Springs was an EF1 on October 18, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Hot Springs?
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

More Cities in Arkansas