EF3 Tornado Explorer
Severe damage (136-165 mph)
Explore comprehensive data on all recorded EF3 tornadoes from 1950 to present. Filter by year, scale type, location, and more.
Severe damage (136-165 mph)
3,563 recorded tornadoes from 1950 to 2024
Overview
3,563 recorded tornadoes from 1950 to 2024
- Total Recorded3,563
- F-Scale (Pre-2007)2,897
- EF-Scale (Post-2007)666
- Year Range1950 - 2024
Human Impact
- Total Fatalities1,502
- Total Injuries25,292
- Deaths per Tornado0.42
- Casualties per Tornado7.52
Characteristics
- Avg. Path Length10.76 miles
- Avg. Path Width406 yards
- Total Property Damage$21.55 billion
- Avg. Damage per Tornado$6.05 million
Geographic Distribution
Top States:
- TEXAS404 (11.3%)
- OKLAHOMA276 (7.7%)
- KANSAS243 (6.8%)
Top Counties:
- OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA20
- FAULKNER, ARKANSAS12
- CULLMAN, ALABAMA10
About EF3 Tornadoes
Wind Speeds: 136-165 mph (Enhanced Fujita) / 158-206 mph (Original Fujita)
Damage Characteristics: EF3 tornadoes cause severe damage and represent approximately 3% of all tornadoes. These are considered major tornadoes that pose extreme danger to life and property.
Typical Damage: Entire stories of well-constructed houses destroyed, trains overturned, severe damage to large buildings (shopping malls, schools), trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown, and strong currents of air can strip asphalt from roads.
Fatality Risk: EF3 and stronger tornadoes are responsible for a disproportionate number of tornado fatalities despite their relative rarity, highlighting the critical importance of seeking proper shelter when these tornadoes threaten populated areas.
Filter Tornado Data
Year Range
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3,563 tornadoes match your filters (100% of total EF3 records).
Data Analysis
Monthly Distribution of EF3 Tornadoes
Monthly breakdown shows seasonality patterns and when EF3 tornadoes are most likely to occur.
Annual Trends of EF3 Tornadoes (1950-Present)
Yearly trends show how EF3 tornado frequency has changed over time, revealing patterns and potential climate influences.
The fluctuations in annual counts reflect both natural climate variability and improvements in tornado detection technology.
Top 10 States for EF3 Tornadoes
Geographic distribution shows which states are most affected by EF3 tornadoes, highlighting tornado-prone regions.
EF3 Tornadoes by Decade
Distribution across decades shows long-term patterns and historical trends in EF3 tornado occurrences.
The increase in recorded tornadoes since the 1950s reflects both improved detection technology and possibly climate factors. Stronger tornadoes like this rating have been more consistently reported throughout the period.
Path Length Distribution of EF3 Tornadoes
Shows how far EF3 tornadoes typically travel, providing insights into their duration and geographic impact.
Fatality Distribution of EF3 Tornadoes
Shows the human impact of EF3 tornadoes, revealing what percentage caused fatalities and in what numbers.
Note: This chart uses a logarithmic scale to better show the distribution of fatalities, as most tornadoes cause zero deaths. Medium-strength tornadoes like these cause significant fatalities, particularly when they hit populated areas or mobile home communities.
Notable EF3 Tornadoes
Date/Time | State | County | Deaths | Injuries | Path Length | Damage | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28, 2024 | MISSISSIPPI | FRANKLIN | 0 | 2 | 18.37 miles | $1.00 million | |
| Dec 28, 2024 | TEXAS | JEFFERSON | 0 | 1 | 26.73 miles | $500.00 thousand | |
| Dec 28, 2024 | TEXAS | CHAMBERS | 0 | 1 | 23.73 miles | N/A | |
| Dec 28, 2024 | TEXAS | MONTGOMERY | 0 | 10 | 10.34 miles | N/A | |
| Nov 3, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | OKLAHOMA | 0 | 7 | 11.90 miles | $40.00 million | |
| Nov 3, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | STEPHENS | 0 | 6 | 21.70 miles | $5.00 million | |
| Nov 3, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | OKLAHOMA | 0 | 6 | 1.40 miles | $15.00 million | |
| Nov 3, 2024 | OKLAHOMA | CLEVELAND | 0 | 0 | 1.00 miles | $1.00 million | |
| Oct 9, 2024 | FLORIDA | ST LUCIE | 6 | 0 | 12.97 miles | $475.00 million | |
| Oct 9, 2024 | FLORIDA | PALM BEACH | 0 | 7 | 28.94 miles | $81.35 million |
Reliable tornado data sourced from official organizations:
