Bartlett, TN Tornado History — 113 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bartlett, TN had?
Bartlett has had 113 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 10 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Bartlett?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bartlett was an EF3 on March 31, 2023, causing 4 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Bartlett?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bartlett, with 22 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 Bartlett
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 25 total, averaging 1.3 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 Bartlett
40 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bartlett since 1950, across 10 events. 544 injuries have been reported across all events. 1952 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F4 on March 21, 1952, which caused 16 fatalities along a 29.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bartlett
About Tornadoes in Bartlett
This overview was written July 24, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Bartlett is a suburb on the northeastern edge of Memphis, in the low, rolling country of southwestern Tennessee near the Mississippi River. This is the Mid-South, a region where tornadoes are a serious and recurring hazard and where wooded terrain and frequent nighttime storms make them especially dangerous.
The area's tornado risk is closely tied to the Gulf of Mexico. Warm, humid Gulf air is available much of the year, so when a strong jet stream supplies wind shear the atmosphere can turn severe both in a spring peak and again in a secondary cool-season maximum during late fall and winter. Mid-South tornadoes are also more likely than those on the plains to occur after dark and to be embedded in fast-moving squall lines, which shortens the time people have to react.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale rates tornado strength from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage rather than a measured wind speed. Most tornadoes are weak, but the regional climate can produce violent, long-track events. For the specific record near Bartlett — total counts, the decade and rating breakdowns, and the deadliest, costliest, and most recent events — consult the figures drawn from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center elsewhere on this page.