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Clarksdale, MS Tornado History — 74 Tornadoes Since 1950

Mississippi · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Clarksdale, MS had?

Clarksdale has had 74 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 7 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Clarksdale?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Clarksdale was an EF1 on March 30, 2022.

When is tornado season in Clarksdale?

April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Clarksdale, with 15 on record. April through June account for 28 of the 74 tornadoes on record near Clarksdale.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
74
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
7
9.5% of total
Peak Month
April
15 on record
Per Year Avg
1.0
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Clarksdale

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 7
1960s 11
1970s 16
1980s 8
1990s 4
2000s 10
2010s 10
2020s 8

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 13
EF1 31
EF2 23
EF3 6
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 9
Feb 7
Mar 6
Apr 15
May 8
Jun 5
Jul 5
Aug 2
Sep 0
Oct 2
Nov 9
Dec 6

Casualties on Record Near Clarksdale

17 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Clarksdale since 1950, across 8 events. 228 injuries have been reported across all events. 1963 was the deadliest year on record near Clarksdale.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on April 29, 1963, which caused 5 fatalities along a 5.7-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Clarksdale

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on April 29, 1963 — 5 fatalities, 5.7 mi path, 440 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F2 on May 12, 1978 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on April 28, 1962 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF3 on December 23, 2015 — 61.6 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on March 30, 2022.

What the record shows near Clarksdale

The 1970s were the busiest decade near Clarksdale, with 16 of the 74 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Clarksdale record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Clarksdale, 44 reached EF0 or EF1 and 30 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Clarksdale is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Clarksdale has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2020 was the busiest of them with 6, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Clarksdale, MS had?
Since 1950, 74 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Clarksdale. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Clarksdale?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Clarksdale was an F3 on April 29, 1963, which caused 5 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Clarksdale?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Clarksdale, with 15 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 Clarksdale been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Clarksdale, 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 Clarksdale?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Clarksdale was an EF1 on March 30, 2022.
How do I get tornado warnings for Clarksdale?
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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