Cleveland, TN Tornado History — 79 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Cleveland, TN had?
Cleveland has had 79 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 12 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Cleveland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cleveland was an EF0 on March 2, 2023.
When is tornado season in Cleveland?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cleveland, with 38 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 Cleveland
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 43 total, averaging 2.1 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 Cleveland
44 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Cleveland since 1950, across 11 events. 823 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 20 fatalities along a 48.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Cleveland
About Tornadoes in Cleveland
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.
Cleveland lies in southeastern Tennessee, in the ridge-and-valley country near Chattanooga where the southern Appalachians rise to the east. This part of the Southeast is prone to tornadoes, and the wooded, mountainous terrain can make them difficult to see and can channel storms in complex ways.
The area's tornado risk is tied to moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. With the wind shear supplied by a strong jet stream, that moisture gives the Southeast a two-part season — an active spring and a secondary peak in the cooler months of late fall and winter. Tornadoes here are also more likely than those on the plains to occur after dark or to be embedded in fast squall lines, which shortens the warning residents receive.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on surveyed damage rather than a measured wind speed. Most are weak, but the regional climate can produce violent, long-track tornadoes. For the specific record near Cleveland — total counts, the decade and rating breakdowns, and the deadliest, costliest, and most recent events — see the figures compiled from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center elsewhere on this page.