Bristol, VA Tornado History — 27 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bristol, VA had?
Bristol has had 27 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Bristol?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bristol was an EF0 on May 12, 2017.
When is tornado season in Bristol?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bristol, with 12 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 Bristol
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 16 total, averaging 0.8 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 Bristol
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bristol since 1950, across 3 events. 69 injuries have been reported across all events. 2011 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF3 on April 28, 2011, which caused 3 fatalities along a 19.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bristol
About Tornadoes in Bristol
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.
Bristol, Virginia, sits in the Appalachian highlands where tornado activity, while less frequent than in the Great Plains, still poses a documented threat. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 27 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950. The majority of these events have been relatively weak, with 14 rated EF0 and 9 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also experienced 2 EF2 tornadoes and 2 EF3 tornadoes, the latter capable of causing severe structural damage.
Tornado frequency in the Bristol area has increased notably in recent decades. While the 1950s through 1990s saw between 1 and 3 tornadoes per decade, the 2000s recorded 5 events and the 2010s saw 12 tornadoes. This uptick may reflect improvements in detection technology and reporting practices as much as any change in actual storm behavior. April stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 12 of the 27 recorded events, consistent with the spring severe weather season when warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with cooler air masses across the eastern United States.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on April 28, 2011, when an EF3 tornado carved a 19.6-mile path with a maximum width of 1,320 yards. This storm claimed 3 lives and caused $5.25 million in property damage, making it simultaneously the deadliest, costliest, and longest-tracked tornado on record for the Bristol vicinity. The widest tornado, by contrast, was an F0 event on April 4, 1974, which reached 2,500 yards in width over an 18-mile path and caused $275,000 in damage but no fatalities. The most recent tornado, an EF0 on May 12, 2017, traveled just 0.1 miles with a 40-yard width and caused no damage or injuries.
Understanding the Enhanced Fujita scale is essential for interpreting these records. The scale ranges from EF0, indicating wind speeds of 65–85 mph with light damage, to EF5, with winds exceeding 200 mph and complete destruction of well-built structures. Most tornadoes in the Bristol area have remained at the lower end of this spectrum, though the 2011 EF3 event demonstrates that significant tornadoes can and do occur in the region's complex terrain.