Tornado History
Informational only. This page does not provide forecasts, alerts, or emergency instructions.
Overview
The Tornado History system provides historical context by showing tornado-related activity over time for a given location.
This includes:
- Tornado warnings issued by the National Weather Service
- Historical warning frequency by location
- Long-term patterns that can support preparedness planning
This system does not predict future tornado activity and should not be interpreted as a probability or risk forecast.
What This Tool Shows
This tool displays:
- Tornado and Tornado warnings issued for a location over time
- Totals across multiple time ranges (5 years, 10 years, and all available data)
- County-level matching based on the ZIP code entered
- The most recent data update timestamp
All data shown reflects tornado and tornado warnings issued.
Tornadoes vs. Tornado Warnings
A tornado warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado is:
- Detected by radar, or
- Reported by trained spotters or officials
Important context:
- Warnings may cover large geographic areas
- Not every warning results in a tornado touchdown
- Warning boundaries and practices may change as storms evolve
This system reflects historical warning activity, which is why it is presented as context rather than prediction.
Why Tornado History Matters
Looking at tornado history can help homeowners:
- Understand how often tornado warnings have affected their area
- Place current storm conditions into historical context
- Support long-term preparedness and shelter planning decisions
Historical data should always be considered alongside real-time conditions and official alerts.
Relationship to Real-Time Conditions
Tornado history does not reflect current storm activity.
For active weather:
- View Storm Mode for real-time watches, warnings, and radar
- View the 24-Hour Tornado Tracker for recent tornado reports
Data Sources
Tornado history data is compiled from official United States government weather records, including:
Steadfast Storm Shelters does not generate or modify historical warning data.
Known Limitations
Users should be aware:
- Warning counts reflect warnings issued, not tornado touchdowns
- County-level matching is used for consistency and reliability
- Warning practices and thresholds may vary by region and time period
- Historical data does not predict future events
This system prioritizes clarity and accuracy over interpretation.
Preparedness Context
Preparedness decisions should consider:
- Real-time storm conditions
- Historical tornado warning activity
- Local building practices
- Access to appropriate shelter options
No single metric should be used in isolation.
