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McDonough, GA Tornado History — 112 Tornadoes Since 1950

Georgia · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has McDonough, GA had?

McDonough has had 112 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near McDonough?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of McDonough was an EF2 on May 29, 2025.

When is tornado season in McDonough?

April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near McDonough, with 18 on record. April through June account for 36 of the 112 tornadoes on record near McDonough.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
112
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
6
5.4% of total
Peak Month
April
18 on record
Per Year Avg
1.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near McDonough

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 57 total, averaging 2.9 per year over this window.

2026 0+1 prelim
2025 9
2024 3
2023 8
2022 0
2021 3
2020 6
2019 4
2018 1
2017 5
2016 0
2015 0
2014 4
2013 2
2012 0
2011 4
2010 1
2009 3
2008 4
2007 0

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near McDonough since December 29, 2025

This 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary EF0° March 16, 2026
1 SSW Snapfinger, DeKalb County, GA
EF0 tornado with max winds of 75 MPH. On the ground for 2.7 miles at 135 yards max width. Numerous trees snapped or uprooted including 3 onto homes narrowly missing res (FFC)

Within 25 miles of McDonough. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

What storm spotters reported near McDonough

5 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of McDonough and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 6, 2025 and the most recent on May 29, 2025. They are already counted in the McDonough totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

May 29, 2025
3 NE Luella, Henry County, GA
Multiple videos of a tornado crossing Interstate 75. (FFC)
EF1° May 21, 2025
1 S Jenkinsburg, Butts County, GA
An EF1 tornado occurred along a 10.5 mile path starting in NE Spalding County and ending in Butts County near the city of Jackson. Max winds 90 mph. (FFC)
EF0° May 4, 2025
1 W Oak Hill, Newton County, GA
NWS storm survey confirms EF0 tornado with max winds 75mph. Trees downed along Buckingham Drive... hwy 20... hwy 212 east to Oak Hill Road. (FFC)
EF0° April 7, 2025
3 NW Locust Grove, Henry County, GA
NWS Storm Survey confirms EF0 tornado with max winds of 75 mph. Tornado crossed I75 near Bethlehem Road. (FFC)
April 7, 2025
1 ENE Vaughn, Spalding County, GA
Survey crews noted significant tree damage along the north side of Heads Creek Reservoir associated with a tornado early Monday morning. (FFC)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 11
1970s 9
1980s 13
1990s 6
2000s 20
2010s 21
2020s 29

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 45
EF1 41
EF2 20
EF3 5
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 15
Feb 9
Mar 13
Apr 18
May 16
Jun 2
Jul 8
Aug 5
Sep 2
Oct 10
Nov 6
Dec 8

Casualties on Record Near McDonough

13 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of McDonough since 1950, across 7 events. 301 injuries have been reported across all events. 2023 was the deadliest year on record near McDonough.

The deadliest single event was an EF2 on January 12, 2023, which caused 4 fatalities along a 125.8-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near McDonough

Deadliest Tornado
EF2 on January 12, 2023 — 4 fatalities, 125.8 mi path, 1,400 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F2 on March 31, 1973 — est. ~$275.0M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF3 on January 12, 2023 — 2,200 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF2 on January 12, 2023 — 125.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF2 on May 29, 2025.

What the record shows near McDonough

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near McDonough, with 29 of the 112 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The McDonough record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near McDonough, 86 reached EF0 or EF1 and 26 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near McDonough is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years McDonough has averaged 2.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 57 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 9, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has McDonough, GA had?
Since 1950, 112 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of McDonough. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near McDonough?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of McDonough was an EF2 on January 12, 2023, which caused 4 fatalities.
When is tornado season in McDonough?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near McDonough, with 18 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 McDonough been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of McDonough, 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 McDonough?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of McDonough was an EF2 on May 29, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for McDonough?
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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