Durham, NC Tornado History — 49 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Durham, NC had?
Durham has had 49 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Durham?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Durham was an EF1 on July 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Durham?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Durham, with 11 on record. April through June account for 20 of the 49 tornadoes on record near Durham.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Durham
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 16 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Durham since December 29, 2025
These are 4 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
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 Durham. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Durham
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Durham 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 Durham totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Tree snapped and fell on a home in the cul-de-sac of Casey Ln. Other minor tree damage evident on Saddle Club 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 Durham
12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Durham since 1950, across 3 events. 277 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record near Durham.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on April 16, 2011, which caused 6 fatalities along a 65.2-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Durham
What the record shows near Durham
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Durham, with 9 of the 49 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 9 so far. The Durham record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Durham, 37 reached EF0 or EF1 and 12 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Durham is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Durham has averaged 0.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 16 in total. 2022 was the busiest of them with 3, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.