Matthews, NC Tornado History — 76 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Matthews, NC had?
Matthews has had 76 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Matthews?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Matthews was an EF1 on March 5, 2025.
When is tornado season in Matthews?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Matthews, with 17 on record. April through June account for 28 of the 76 tornadoes on record near Matthews.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Matthews
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Matthews since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Brief touchdown of EF0 tornado with maximum winds of 85 mph... tracked from West 28th St to Atando Ave before lifting near Derita Creek Park. (GSP)
Within 25 miles of Matthews. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
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 Matthews
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Matthews since 1950, across 1 event. 61 injuries have been reported across all events. 1989 was the deadliest year on record near Matthews.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on May 5, 1989, which caused 1 fatality along a 13.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Matthews
What the record shows near Matthews
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Matthews, with 15 of the 76 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Matthews record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Matthews, 58 reached EF0 or EF1 and 17 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Matthews is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Matthews is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Matthews has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 3, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.