VORTEX
TORNADO HISTORY
← All Cities

Cleveland, TN Tornado History — 79 Tornadoes Since 1950

Tennessee · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Cleveland, TN had?

Cleveland has had 79 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 12 strong to 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. April through June account for 47 of the 79 tornadoes on record near Cleveland.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
79
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
12
15.2% of total
Peak Month
April
38 on record
Per Year Avg
1.0
Across 76 years

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.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 2
2022 0
2021 0
2020 5
2019 0
2018 1
2017 1
2016 3
2015 0
2014 3
2013 0
2012 2
2011 18
2010 5
2009 2
2008 1
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 4
1970s 10
1980s 4
1990s 13
2000s 5
2010s 33
2020s 7

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.

EF0 22
EF1 31
EF2 14
EF3 11
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 1
Feb 5
Mar 11
Apr 38
May 8
Jun 1
Jul 0
Aug 2
Sep 0
Oct 6
Nov 5
Dec 2

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 near Cleveland.

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

Deadliest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — 20 fatalities, 48.0 mi path, 800 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — $68.3M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF3 on April 12, 2020 — 1,500 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF4 on April 27, 2011 — 48.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on March 2, 2023.

What the record shows near Cleveland

The 2010s were the busiest decade near Cleveland, with 33 of the 79 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 7 so far. The Cleveland record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Cleveland, 53 reached EF0 or EF1 and 26 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Cleveland is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Cleveland has averaged 2.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 43 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 18, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Cleveland, TN had?
Since 1950, 79 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Cleveland. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Cleveland?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Cleveland was an EF4 on April 27, 2011, which caused 20 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Cleveland?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cleveland, with 38 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Cleveland been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Cleveland, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Cleveland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cleveland was an EF0 on March 2, 2023.
How do I get tornado warnings for Cleveland?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

More Cities in Tennessee