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Harker Heights, TX Tornado History — 114 Tornadoes Since 1950

Texas · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Harker Heights, TX had?

Harker Heights has had 114 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 7 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Harker Heights?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Harker Heights was an EF1 on May 1, 2025.

When is tornado season in Harker Heights?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Harker Heights, with 55 on record. April through June account for 74 of the 114 tornadoes on record near Harker Heights.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
114
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
7
6.1% of total
Peak Month
May
55 on record
Per Year Avg
1.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Harker Heights

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 29 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 2
2024 3
2023 1
2022 4
2021 1
2020 0
2019 1
2018 1
2017 1
2016 1
2015 2
2014 1
2013 0
2012 0
2011 1
2010 1
2009 0
2008 3
2007 6

What storm spotters reported near Harker Heights

2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Harker Heights and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 1, 2025 and the most recent on May 1, 2025. They are already counted in the Harker Heights totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

May 1, 2025
2 WNW Briggs, Burnet County, TX
Update to time of previous tornado report: Based on spotter footage... a tornado formed over open country just northwest of Briggs... and may at one point lifted and re (EWX)
May 1, 2025
10 NNW Briggs, Burnet County, TX
*** 1 INJ *** Report of 5 homes damaged along CR 223. 1 driver was injured on CR 223. NWS will be surveying damage on Friday. (EWX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 11
1960s 12
1970s 19
1980s 11
1990s 21
2000s 20
2010s 9
2020s 11

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 38
EF1 40
EF2 24
EF3 6
EF5 1
Unrated 5

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 3
Feb 1
Mar 13
Apr 14
May 55
Jun 5
Jul 0
Aug 7
Sep 5
Oct 5
Nov 4
Dec 2

Casualties on Record Near Harker Heights

31 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Harker Heights since 1950, across 4 events. 120 injuries have been reported across all events. 1997 was the deadliest year on record near Harker Heights.

The deadliest single event was an F5 on May 27, 1997, which caused 27 fatalities along a 5.1-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Harker Heights

Deadliest Tornado
F5 on May 27, 1997 — 27 fatalities, 5.1 mi path, 650 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF2 on May 22, 2024 — $5.0M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F1 on June 5, 1955 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on April 14, 1977 — 41.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on May 1, 2025.

What the record shows near Harker Heights

The 1990s were the busiest decade near Harker Heights, with 21 of the 114 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 11 so far. The Harker Heights record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Harker Heights, 78 reached EF0 or EF1 and 31 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Harker Heights is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 5 near Harker Heights are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Harker Heights has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 29 in total. 2007 was the busiest of them with 6, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Harker Heights, TX had?
Since 1950, 114 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Harker Heights. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Harker Heights?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Harker Heights was an F5 on May 27, 1997, which caused 27 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Harker Heights?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Harker Heights, with 55 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 Harker Heights been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Harker Heights, there has been 1 EF5 and 0 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 Harker Heights?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Harker Heights was an EF1 on May 1, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Harker Heights?
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

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