Apex, NC Tornado History — 67 Tornadoes Since 1950
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
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.
Preliminary tornado reports near Apex since December 29, 2025
These are 5 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Approximate location of most intense damage. The tornado occurred along a 3.2 mile-long discontinuous path... as it momentarily touched down and lifted several times be (RAH)
EF-1 tornado confirmed. Touched down in the Stone Ridge neighborhood... with a discontinuous path of tree and structural damage northward into the Neuse Crossing neighb (RAH)
(RAH)
Numerous mature hardwood and pine trees downed... snapped and twisted on Beaver Creek Road... just south of Pea Ridge Road. Damage was coincident with a radar TDS. (RAH)
(RAH)
Within 25 miles of Apex. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
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.
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
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 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
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.