Detroit, MI Tornado History — 61 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Detroit, MI had?
Detroit has had 61 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 7 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Detroit?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Detroit was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
When is tornado season in Detroit?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Detroit, with 17 on record. April through June account for 27 of the 61 tornadoes on record near Detroit.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Detroit
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Detroit since December 29, 2025
These are 2 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
An EF-2 tornado impacted east Detroit on the afternoon of September 3... touching down near the Poletown East neighborhood and tracking southeastward... eventually cros (DTX)
NWS Storm Survey team confirms an EF-1 tornado occurred in Lincoln Park on April 15. A brief tornado touched down near Wall Ave and Ruth Ave... and continued across res (DTX)
Within 25 miles of Detroit. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Detroit
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Detroit and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 18, 2025 and the most recent on June 18, 2025. It is already counted in the Detroit totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Probable tornado with downed large limbs near Kelly Rd between 14 and 15 Mile Rd. (DTX)
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 Detroit
4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Detroit since 1950, across 4 events. 277 injuries have been reported across all events. 2024 was the deadliest year on record near Detroit.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on March 20, 1976, which caused 1 fatality along a 3.8-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Detroit
What the record shows near Detroit
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Detroit, with 16 of the 61 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Detroit record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Detroit, 42 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Detroit is rated EF4, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Detroit has averaged 0.7 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 14 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 4, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.