Clearwater, FL Tornado History — 249 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Clearwater, FL had?
Clearwater has had 249 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Clearwater?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Clearwater was an EF0 on September 25, 2025.
When is tornado season in Clearwater?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Clearwater, with 39 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Clearwater
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 51 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Clearwater since December 29, 2025
These 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Within 25 miles of Clearwater. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
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 Clearwater
19 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Clearwater since 1950, across 5 events. 863 injuries have been reported across all events. 1966 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F4 on April 4, 1966, which caused 11 fatalities along a 135.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Clearwater
About Tornadoes in Clearwater
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Since 1950, the Clearwater, Florida area has experienced 249 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This substantial number reflects the region's vulnerability to tornado activity, particularly during the summer months when atmospheric conditions favor severe weather development. June stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, with 39 recorded events during that period.
The majority of tornadoes in the Clearwater area have been relatively weak, with 144 rated EF0 and 78 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the region has also experienced stronger events, including 18 EF2 tornadoes, 2 EF3 tornadoes, and 2 EF4 tornadoes. An additional 5 tornadoes remain unrated in the historical record.
The deadliest tornado on record struck on April 4, 1966, when an F4-intensity tornado carved a 135.8-mile path with a maximum width of 300 yards, claiming 11 lives and causing $27,500,000 in property damage. This event also holds the distinction of being the longest-tracked tornado in the area's recorded history. More than two decades later, on October 3, 1992, an F3 tornado became the costliest and widest tornado on record, with a maximum width of 500 yards along a 2.6-mile path, resulting in 3 fatalities and $27,500,000 in damage.
Tornado activity in the Clearwater area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest frequency with 62 tornadoes, while the 1950s recorded only 10 events. The 1970s experienced 46 tornadoes, followed by 33 in both the 1960s and 1980s. More recent decades show 18 tornadoes in the 2000s, 27 in the 2010s, and 20 thus far in the 2020s. The most recent tornado occurred on September 25, 2025, rated EF0 with a maximum width of 10 yards, causing no fatalities or property damage.