Stafford, TX Tornado History — 223 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Stafford, TX had?
Stafford has had 223 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Stafford?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Stafford was an EF1 on November 24, 2025.
When is tornado season in Stafford?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Stafford, 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 Stafford
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 42 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 Stafford
5 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Stafford since 1950, across 5 events. 328 injuries have been reported across all events. 1983 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on December 13, 1977, which caused 1 fatality along a 25.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Stafford
About Tornadoes in Stafford
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.
Stafford, Texas, located in the Houston metropolitan area, has experienced significant tornado activity over the past seven decades. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 217 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950, with the 1970s marking the most active decade at 52 events. Activity increased substantially from the 1960s through the 1990s, with 45 tornadoes documented in that final decade of the twentieth century, before moderating somewhat in recent years.
The majority of these tornadoes have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 109 rated EF0 and 73 rated EF1. However, the area has also seen more intense storms, including 29 EF2 tornadoes, 5 EF3 events, and one EF4 tornado. May stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence with 35 recorded events, consistent with the springtime severe weather patterns common across the southern United States when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler continental air masses.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history struck on November 21, 1992, an F4-rated storm that carved a 30-mile path with a maximum width of 1,800 yards. This event caused $275 million in property damage and remarkably resulted in no fatalities, making it simultaneously the costliest, widest, and longest-track tornado on record for the region. The deadliest tornado occurred on December 13, 1977, when an F3 tornado with a 25.1-mile path and 400-yard width claimed one life and caused $27.5 million in damage.
Tornado activity in the Stafford area has continued into the present day, with the most recent event occurring on November 24, 2025. This EF1 tornado traveled 2.6 miles with a maximum width of 500 yards and fortunately caused no injuries or reported property damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators, helps meteorologists assess storm intensity and provides valuable data for understanding long-term severe weather patterns in the region.