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Apex, NC Tornado History — 67 Tornadoes Since 1950

North Carolina · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Apex, NC had?

Apex has had 67 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Apex?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Apex was an EF1 on July 6, 2025.

When is tornado season in Apex?

March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Apex, with 13 on record. April through June account for 23 of the 67 tornadoes on record near Apex.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
67
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
4.5% of total
Peak Month
March
13 on record
Per Year Avg
0.9
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Apex

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

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

What storm spotters reported near Apex

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Apex and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on July 6, 2025 and the most recent on July 6, 2025. It is already counted in the Apex totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

July 6, 2025
4 NW Moncure, Chatham County, NC
WNCN meteorologist observed multiple trees down... including at least one large pine snapped... in the 4000 block of Moncure Pittsboro Rd. (RAH)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 4
1960s 4
1970s 5
1980s 12
1990s 10
2000s 15
2010s 10
2020s 7

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 28
EF1 24
EF2 12
EF3 2
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 1
Feb 3
Mar 13
Apr 6
May 11
Jun 6
Jul 10
Aug 2
Sep 7
Oct 1
Nov 3
Dec 4

Casualties on Record Near Apex

10 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Apex since 1950, across 2 events. 321 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Apex.

The deadliest single event was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which caused 6 fatalities along a 65.2-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Apex

Deadliest Tornado
EF3 on April 16, 2011 — 6 fatalities, 65.2 mi path, 500 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F4 on November 28, 1988 — est. ~$275.0M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on February 11, 1981 — 800 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on November 23, 1992 — 160.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on July 6, 2025.

What the record shows near Apex

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Apex, with 15 of the 67 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 7 so far. The Apex record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Apex, 52 reached EF0 or EF1 and 15 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Apex is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Apex has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2019 was the busiest of them with 5, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Apex, NC had?
Since 1950, 67 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Apex. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Apex?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Apex was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which caused 6 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Apex?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Apex, with 13 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 Apex been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Apex, 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 Apex?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Apex was an EF1 on July 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Apex?
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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