Jonesboro, AR Tornado History — 134 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Jonesboro, AR had?
Jonesboro has had 134 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 19 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Jonesboro?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Jonesboro was an EF1 on May 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Jonesboro?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Jonesboro, with 29 on record. April through June account for 53 of the 134 tornadoes on record near Jonesboro.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Jonesboro
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 47 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Jonesboro since December 29, 2025
These are 6 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
[Landspout] A brief landspout over open area. No damage was observed. (MEG)
Multiple reports of a rope tornado near HWY1 and CR452. Photo on social media. (MEG)
Corrects previous tornado report from 5 E Tuckerman. Storm survey revealed a brief weak tornado occurred mainly over open fields west of the intersection of AR State Hw (LZK)
An EF0 tornado moved just to the northwest of Light... damaging trees... a shed... and a grain bin. (MEG)
An EF0 tornado formed near Beech Grove... resulting in damage to trees and a few outbuildings... moving east and lifting near Greene Road 125. (MEG)
This is a delayed report. NWS Storm Survey crew found damage consistent with an EF-1 tornado with peak winds estimated at 105 mph. Damage surveyed discovered primarily (LZK)
Within 25 miles of Jonesboro. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Jonesboro
3 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Jonesboro and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 2, 2025 and the most recent on May 16, 2025. They are already counted in the Jonesboro totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
An EF-1 tornado occurred in mainly rural parts of Craighead County AR. (MEG)
An EF2 tornado affected areas from just south of Cash to near Bono. Maximum wind speeds were 120 mph. The tornado was on the ground for 14 minutes. (MEG)
*** 8 INJ *** An EF3 tornado began in northern Poinsett County and moved through much of eastern Craighead County... including the Bay and Lake City communities. Maximu (MEG)
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 Jonesboro
59 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Jonesboro since 1950, across 10 events. 953 injuries have been reported across all events. 1968 was the deadliest year on record near Jonesboro.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on May 15, 1968, which caused 35 fatalities along a 20.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Jonesboro
What the record shows near Jonesboro
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Jonesboro, with 30 of the 134 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Jonesboro record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Jonesboro, 88 reached EF0 or EF1 and 46 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Jonesboro is rated EF4, of which 4 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Jonesboro has averaged 2.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 47 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 9, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.