Tupelo, MS Tornado History — 125 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Tupelo, MS had?
Tupelo has had 125 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 17 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Tupelo?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Tupelo was an EF1 on June 7, 2025.
When is tornado season in Tupelo?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Tupelo, with 31 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Tupelo
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 63 total, averaging 3.1 per year over this window.
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 Tupelo
57 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Tupelo since 1950, across 9 events. 565 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF5 on April 27, 2011, which caused 23 fatalities along a 37.3-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Tupelo
About Tornadoes in Tupelo
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 108 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Tupelo, Mississippi since 1950. The frequency of these events has increased notably over time, with just 7 tornadoes documented in the 1950s compared to 28 in the 2020s. This upward trend reflects improvements in detection technology and reporting practices rather than necessarily indicating a change in actual tornado occurrence.
The majority of tornadoes affecting the Tupelo area have been relatively weak, with 37 rated EF0 and 41 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the region has also experienced significant violent tornadoes, including 8 EF3 events, 1 EF4, and 1 EF5. April stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 24 of the recorded events, consistent with the spring severe weather season when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler air masses.
The deadliest tornado on record occurred on April 27, 2011, when an EF5 tornado claimed 23 lives. This violent tornado carved a 37.3-mile path with a maximum width of 1,320 yards and caused $14.4 million in property damage. The same tornado also holds the distinction of being the widest and longest-tracked tornado in the area's recorded history.
While the 2011 EF5 was the deadliest, the costliest tornado struck more recently on April 1, 2023. This EF1 tornado caused $105 million in property damage despite traveling only 2.1 miles with a maximum width of 375 yards and resulting in no fatalities. The most recent tornado occurred on April 6, 2025, an EF1 event that traveled 4.1 miles, reached 300 yards in width, and caused $150,000 in damage with no reported fatalities.