Balch Springs, TX Tornado History — 163 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Balch Springs, TX had?
Balch Springs has had 163 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 14 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Balch Springs?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Balch Springs was an EF1 on March 4, 2025.
When is tornado season in Balch Springs?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Balch Springs, with 41 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 Balch Springs
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 44 total, averaging 2.2 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 Balch Springs
25 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Balch Springs since 1950, across 5 events. 993 injuries have been reported across all events. 2015 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF4 on December 26, 2015, which caused 10 fatalities along a 13.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Balch Springs
About Tornadoes in Balch Springs
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Balch Springs, Texas sits in an area of North Texas that has experienced substantial tornado activity over the past seven decades. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 158 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950, making this one of the more tornado-prone regions in the state. The distribution across decades has been uneven, with the 1990s seeing the highest count at 42 events, followed by the 1970s with 38 tornadoes. The most recent decade through 2020 recorded 30 tornadoes, while the current decade has already logged 7 events, including an EF1 on March 4, 2025.
The majority of tornadoes in the Balch Springs area have been on the weaker end of the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 77 rated EF0 and 45 rated EF1. However, the region has also experienced significant violent tornadoes, including 11 EF3 events and 2 EF4 tornadoes. April stands out as the peak month for tornado activity with 40 recorded events, reflecting the typical springtime severe weather pattern common across much of the southern Plains when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler, drier air masses.
The deadliest tornado on record near Balch Springs was an EF4 that struck on December 27, 2015, claiming 10 lives and causing $26.8 million in property damage along a 13-mile path. The costliest event occurred on October 21, 2019, when an EF3 tornado carved a 15.8-mile path up to 1,300 yards wide, resulting in $1.55 billion in property damage but fortunately no fatalities. The widest tornado recorded was an F1 on December 15, 1971, which reached 1,760 yards in width, while the longest-tracked tornado was an F3 on October 12, 1969, that traveled 45.9 miles.
These statistics underscore the persistent tornado threat in the Balch Springs area throughout the year, though spring months carry elevated risk. While most tornadoes have been relatively weak and caused limited damage, the occurrence of multiple violent tornadoes demonstrates that residents face the potential for significant, life-threatening events requiring preparedness and vigilance during severe weather season.