Tornado Season in Tennessee: Peak Timing and Earliest on Record

Though Tennessee lies outside Tornado Alley, the state is no stranger to tornadoes. In fact, it experiences tornado activity every year. However, the frequency and severity of tornadoes in Tennessee vary according to the season, weather patterns, geography, and overall climate. For instance, East Tennessee sees little tornado activity, while Middle Tennessee often receives the worst tornadoes. Discover when tornado season in Tennessee occurs and learn about the first tornado ever recorded.

What is a Tornado?

A tornado is a type of natural disaster characterized by unstable weather conditions. For instance, many tornadoes form when warm, moist air close to the ground meets cool, dry air in the atmosphere. When these wind patterns meet, the speed and direction of the wind may change. This action results in the formation of a tornado, which is a column of air that rotates and touches the Earth’s surface.

Tornadoes can be incredibly dangerous, and experts classify them according to their speed and danger. For example, a tornado with a score of EF4 or EF5 may cause serious damage and the loss of human life. On the other hand, tornadoes with a score of EF1 or EF0 are unlikely to result in extreme damage. The table below outlines tornado classification according to the EF scale.

Tornado Season in Tennessee

Tornado season in Tennessee occurs during spring between the months of March and May and tends to peak in April. However, this state may also see tornadoes during mid-October and November. Therefore, Tennessee has an official and unofficial tornado season: spring and fall, respectively.

During 2022, Tennessee only experienced five tornados, a record low since the year 1987, which only saw one tornado. Of these five tornadoes, four passed through West Tennessee and one passed through Middle Tennessee. East Tennessee did not experience any tornado activity in 2022, but this isn’t uncommon. The eastern portion of the state typically sees the fewest number of tornadoes each year compared to West and Middle Tennessee.

On the other hand, 2023 has seen 23 tornadoes in Tennessee already, and there are nearly six months to go. Nine tornadoes hit West Tennessee this year while the eastern third of the state saw six tornadoes. Middle Tennessee has experienced eight tornadoes so far in 2023.

Perhaps surprisingly, this state recorded a whopping 67 tornadoes in 2021 with an overwhelming majority occurring in Middle Tennessee. While this fact may be shocking, it certainly isn’t a record-breaking statistic. In 2011, Tennessee saw 106 tornadoes. Even more shocking, the majority passed through East Tennessee, where tornado instances are less common.

On average, according to data between 1950 and 2020, Tennessee experiences 18 tornadoes per year. Five of these 18 tornadoes occur in West Tennessee, and three tornadoes pass through East Tennessee. Middle Tennessee, though, sees an average of nine tornadoes annually. Tornadoes typically pass through Middle Tennessee at a higher rate than they do through West or East Tennessee. 

Where do Tornadoes Normally Affect Tennessee?

Middle Tennessee usually experiences the most tornado activity during tornado season. However, there have been exceptions. For instance, East Tennessee saw 62 tornadoes in 2011 while Middle Tennessee only saw 38 within the same year. In most cases, though, Middle Tennessee experiences tornadoes at the greatest rate, followed by West Tennessee. East Tennessee sees tornadoes the least, but the entirety of the state is no stranger to these natural disasters.

What Part of Tennessee is Safest from Tornadoes?

East Tennessee is by far the safest region from tornado activity. Moreover, certain cities in this region and other regions are optimal for avoiding tornados. For instance, Memphis, located in West Tennessee, rarely sees tornadoes, and the city does not lie within the bounds of Tornado Alley.

In addition, Chattanooga, located in East Tennessee, rarely experiences tornadoes. However, this city is subject to other natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes. Overall, though, Chattanooga does not see many natural disasters. Furthermore, another East Tennessee city rarely encounters tornadoes. The city of Knoxville sits in a valley, flanked by many mountains. Therefore, wind cannot climb the surrounding mountains to reach Knoxville, ensuring its safety from tornado activity.

Which Month Experiences the Most Tornadoes in Tennessee?

April sees the most tornadoes in Tennessee when compared to any other month in the calendar year. Of the total number of tornadoes to pass through this state between 1811 and 2022, April claimed 210 tornado occurrences. Meanwhile, the month of May follows close behind April with 171 tornadoes since 1811. March is the month during tornado season that records the fewest tornadoes at 165 tornadoes. However, the tornado counts of March and May are close in number, meaning that March could surpass May and experience the second-greatest number of tornadoes in Tennessee.

On the other hand, September sees the fewest tornadoes. From 1811 to 2022, this month only experienced 12 tornadoes. Therefore, April’s tornado count measures 17.5 times greater than that of September. During the unofficial tornado season, between October and November, the month of November records the greatest number of tornadoes. November’s tornado count, though at 68 tornadoes, still measures three times smaller than April’s tornado count.

What is the Earliest Tornado Ever Recorded in Tennessee?

This state’s earliest tornado on record occurred on May 24, 1807. This tornado passed through several counties in East Tennessee, including Sevier County and Knox County. However, little data is available concerning tornadoes and death tolls before 1950. According to the National Weather Service, Tennessee has experienced over 1,200 tornadoes since 1950. By comparison, the state with the most tornadoes, Texas, saw nearly 9,700 tornadoes during the same period!

Tornadoes in Tennessee and the Death Toll

On average, five Tennessee residents die during a tornado every year. Since 1950, approximately 375 people have died because of tornadoes. West and Middle Tennessee claim an average of two lives annually, and East Tennessee sees one death per year due to tornadoes. The year 1952 claimed the most lives with 78 fatalities. However, 1952 only saw 16 total tornadoes despite its high death toll.

Within the last decade, the year 2020 experienced the greatest loss of human life due to tornadoes. A reported 35 tornadoes passed through Tennessee in 2020, and 27 people lost their lives as a result. In 2023, tornadoes have already claimed the lives of 10 individuals. Furthermore, all 10 deaths happened in West Tennessee.

What is the Deadliest Tornado on Record in Tennessee?

According to the National Weather Service, the deadliest tornado on record in Tennessee was a tornado outbreak that covered the Middle Tennessee area. The outbreak struck on April 29, 1909, and 62 people lost their lives during the event. In one part of Middle Tennessee, the tornado was categorized as an F4 tornado, making it extremely deadly. This F4 tornado measured 30 miles long and stretched 800 yards wide. In addition, the F4 claimed 31 lives on that fateful day and left 70 people injured.

Since this natural disaster occurred over a century ago, scientists used the F scale for grading tornadoes. Note that this scale is considered outdated and only provides a rough estimate of tornado classification. The EF scale is a more accurate method for scoring tornado severity.