Lubbock, TX Tornado History — 179 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lubbock, TX had?
Lubbock has had 179 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Lubbock?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lubbock was an EF2 on June 5, 2025.
When is tornado season in Lubbock?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lubbock, with 57 on record. April through June account for 127 of the 179 tornadoes on record near Lubbock.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Lubbock
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 40 total, averaging 2.0 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Lubbock since December 29, 2025
These are 4 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
[Landspout] Picture of a landspout just northeast of Lorenzo. It lasted 3-4 minutes before dissipating. Location estimated. (LUB)
[Landspout] (LUB)
[Landspout] Couple of pictures of a landspout near Shallowater. (LUB)
Multiple reports of a dusty tornado. (LUB)
Within 25 miles of Lubbock. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Lubbock
5 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Lubbock and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on April 30, 2025 and the most recent on June 5, 2025. They are already counted in the Lubbock totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
Rain-wrapped tornado observed. (LUB)
(LUB)
[Landspout] Pictures of a landspout about 6 miles north of Ropesville... received via X. The landspout lasted from 3:10 to 3:19 pm. (LUB)
[Landspout] Landspout observed from Lubbock International Airport. (LUB)
[Landspout] Multiple sightings of a weak landspout south of Anton. Location estimated from radar. (LUB)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Lubbock
26 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Lubbock since 1950, across 1 event. 513 injuries have been reported across all events. 1970 was the deadliest year on record near Lubbock.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on May 11, 1970, which caused 26 fatalities along a 8.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lubbock
What the record shows near Lubbock
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Lubbock, with 37 of the 179 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Lubbock record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Lubbock, 149 reached EF0 or EF1 and 25 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Lubbock is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 5 near Lubbock are unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Lubbock has averaged 2.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 40 in total. 2007 was the busiest of them with 10, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.