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Orlando, FL Tornado History — 143 Tornadoes Since 1950

Florida · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Orlando, FL had?

Orlando has had 143 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Orlando?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orlando was an Unrated on August 4, 2025.

When is tornado season in Orlando?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orlando, with 26 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
143
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
5
3.5% of total
Peak Month
June
26 on record
Per Year Avg
1.9
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Orlando

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 29 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 3
2024 2
2023 0
2022 0
2021 0
2020 5
2019 1
2018 1
2017 3
2016 2
2015 1
2014 2
2013 0
2012 3
2011 1
2010 0
2009 3
2008 1
2007 1

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 7
1960s 13
1970s 42
1980s 26
1990s 19
2000s 12
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 66
EF1 52
EF2 19
EF3 4
EF4 1
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 10
Feb 15
Mar 13
Apr 14
May 14
Jun 26
Jul 17
Aug 13
Sep 7
Oct 3
Nov 5
Dec 6

Casualties on Record Near Orlando

55 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Orlando since 1950, across 7 events. 976 injuries have been reported across all events. 1998 was the deadliest year on record.

The deadliest single event was a F3 on February 23, 1998, which caused 25 fatalities along a 28.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Orlando

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on February 23, 1998 — 25 fatalities, 28.0 mi path, 250 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F4 on April 4, 1966 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F1 on August 13, 2004 — 3,000 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on April 4, 1966 — 135.8 mile track.
Most Recent
Unrated on August 4, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Orlando

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.

Orlando sits near the middle of the Florida peninsula, and its tornado history divides sharply by season. Summer afternoons across the Orange County area regularly produce weak, short-lived tornadoes — EF0s like those of July 8, 2017, and June 6, 2024 — but the area's destructive tornadoes have generally ridden in on winter and spring storm systems.

On April 4, 1966, an F4 tornado carved a 135.8-mile track through Central Florida and the Orlando area, killing 11 people and injuring 530. On February 23, 1998, an F3 tornado cut a 28-mile path through the area, killing 25 people and injuring 150; other tornadoes rated F3 struck the same day and were also deadly. An F2 on March 13, 1993, tracked 30 miles, killing one person and injuring 60. Midwinter systems have produced damaging tornadoes as well, including F2s on January 28, 1973, and January 8, 1978, and a March 19, 1981 storm system that spawned an F3 alongside F2 tornadoes.

The threat continues into the present era. On March 10, 2025, an EF2 tornado tore a four-mile path through the area, causing $3,900,000 in property damage, and an EF0 followed on May 26, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Orlando, FL had?
Since 1950, 143 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Orlando. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Orlando?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Orlando was a F3 on February 23, 1998, which caused 25 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Orlando?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orlando, with 26 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 Orlando been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Orlando, 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 Orlando?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orlando was an Unrated on August 4, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Orlando?
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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