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Melbourne, FL Tornado History — 114 Tornadoes Since 1950

Florida · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Melbourne, FL had?

Melbourne has had 114 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Melbourne?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Melbourne was an EF0 on September 7, 2025.

When is tornado season in Melbourne?

September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Melbourne, with 23 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
114
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
1.8% of total
Peak Month
September
23 on record
Per Year Avg
1.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Melbourne

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 27 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 4
2023 2
2022 1
2021 1
2020 1
2019 0
2018 1
2017 7
2016 1
2015 0
2014 0
2013 2
2012 1
2011 0
2010 2
2009 0
2008 3
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 5
1960s 11
1970s 16
1980s 14
1990s 23
2000s 21
2010s 14
2020s 10

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 60
EF1 40
EF2 12
EF3 1
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 6
Feb 9
Mar 8
Apr 7
May 6
Jun 16
Jul 4
Aug 17
Sep 23
Oct 13
Nov 5
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Melbourne

12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Melbourne since 1950, across 2 events. 636 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 Melbourne

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on April 4, 1966 — 11 fatalities, 135.8 mi path, 300 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F2 on November 15, 1994 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF1 on June 7, 2023 — 300 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on April 4, 1966 — 135.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on September 7, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Melbourne

This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.

Melbourne anchors Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County, along the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic shore. Its tornadoes are largely creatures of the warm season, spun up by summer sea-breeze storms and by tropical systems raking the peninsula in late summer and fall, though winter touchdowns have occurred as well.

The area's history includes genuinely violent weather. On April 4, 1966, an F4 tornado killed 11 people and injured 530 along a 135.8-mile track; a second tornado that same day, rated F2, traced a 123.3-mile path of its own. An F3 followed on June 19, 1972, running 4.9 miles. And on November 15, 1994, a deadly F2 cut a 2.5-mile swath through the Melbourne area, killing one person, injuring 40, and causing destructive damage.

The tropical-season rhythm shows plainly in recent years: EF0 and EF1 tornadoes struck on September 10 and 11, 2017, and EF1 tornadoes touched down on October 9, 2024. As recently as September 7, 2025, an EF0 touched down near the city — a reminder that tornadoes remain a live hazard on this stretch of the coast, even when they arrive on the weaker end of the scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Melbourne, FL had?
Since 1950, 114 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Melbourne. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Melbourne?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Melbourne was a F4 on April 4, 1966, which caused 11 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Melbourne?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Melbourne, with 23 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 Melbourne been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Melbourne, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado 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 Melbourne?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Melbourne was an EF0 on September 7, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Melbourne?
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

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