List of United States tornadoes from January to March 2021 explained
This page documents all tornadoes confirmed by various weather forecast offices of the National Weather Service in the United States during January, February, and March 2021. January has an average of 35 tornadoes in the United States, February averages 29, and March averages 80.[1]
The year started well below average with the lowest amount of tornado reports through two months in the past 16 years.[2] January saw only 16 tornadoes, while February saw only 11. March, however, saw several outbreaks and was above average with 139 tornadoes.
January
January 1 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | N of Butler | Taylor | GA | | 19:01–19:05 | 2.9abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One home had minor roof damage. Trees were snapped or uprooted.[3] |
| EF0 | W of Ceres | Crawford | GA | | 19:18–19:20 | 0.84abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Part of a roof was taken off a home. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted.[4] |
| EF0 | E of Russellville | Monroe | GA | | 19:35–19:37 | 1.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A garage was destroyed and up to 10 other structures sustained minor damage. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted.[5] |
| EF1 | N of Bolingbroke to WNW of Dames Ferry | Monroe | GA | | 19:51–19:55 | 3.34abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | One person was injured when a mobile home was flipped onto its side near the intersection of SR 18 and SR 87. Trees were snapped or uprooted. A tornado debris signature was present with this tornado.[6] |
|
January 4 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | SW of Henleyville | Tehama | CA | | 21:34–21.39 | 0.78abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 3abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A barn and other outbuildings were damaged. A power pole and trees were knocked down.[7] |
| EF0 | NE of Vina | Tehama | CA | | 22:40–22:50 | 2.66abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 3abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Photos and video confirm that a tornado touched down in an open field. No damage was reported.[8] |
|
January 6 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF1 | Texas City | Galveston | TX | | 00:14–00:17 | 2.01abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A convenience store and a nearby apartment complex were heavily damaged. Dirt and insulation was splattered onto all sides of several structures. Another business lost most of its roof and an iron fence was pushed over. Numerous trees had snapped trunks and large limbs.[9] |
| EF1 | NE of Parks | St. Martin | LA | | 04:52–04:54 | 1.16abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A mobile home was flipped and destroyed, and a storage building was also destroyed. Some homes had roof and awning damage. Some debris was found up in power lines. Several trees were downed.[10] |
|
January 25 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | NNE of Piperton | Fayette | TN | | 22:29–22:31 | 1.26abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado touched down and moved across a few roads, before lifting a short time later. Numerous trees were downed, but no structural damage was reported.[11] |
| EF3 | SW of Fultondale to Center Point | Jefferson | AL | | 04:40–04:55 | 10.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 900abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 1 death – This intense tornado touched down southwest of Fultondale and first caused minor shingle damage to numerous homes. It then crossed I-65 at the Walker Chapel Road exit and rapidly intensified to EF2 strength, snapping numerous power poles, causing major roof and exterior wall damage at a Hampton Inn, and damaging nearby restaurants and a warehouse. Trees were downed as it crossed U.S. 31, a Fairfield Inn had roof shingles torn off, and a few homes in a nearby subdivision sustained severe structural damage. As the destructive tornado entered a densely-populated residential area just beyond the highway, it intensified to EF3 strength. In this area, widespread damage to homes and vehicles occurred, including numerous homes that were destroyed. Many homes had roofs and exterior walls ripped off, and multiple poorly-anchored homes were leveled, at least one of which was swept clean from its foundation. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted, with some debarking noted, and debris from homes was thrown considerable distances, including a hot tub that was thrown from one residence and was not found. Vehicles were tossed and damaged as well. Farther along the path, as the tornado began to weaken slightly to EF2 intensity, the Hurst Towing's company building and truck yard were heavily damaged, and Fultondale High School sustained major damage to the school building and athletic facilities. The tornado then weakened substantially as it continued northeast toward Center Point. It struck the Rusk Mobile Home Park as it crossed over SR 79, where numerous mobile homes were damaged mainly by falling trees. The tornado briefly regained EF1 strength as it struck Center Point, where trees were downed, a few one-story homes sustained major roof damage, and a church sustained partial roof loss. The tornado dissipated near SR 75 in Center Point, south of Pinson, after having downed trees and power lines near the Jefferson County Multi-Services Facility. At least 30 people were injured.[12] |
|
January 27 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF1 | Fort Braden | Leon | FL | | 16:30–16:31 | 0.85abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several outbuildings were destroyed and trees were snapped or uprooted.[13] |
| EF1 | WSW of Tallahassee to WNW of Cody | Leon | FL | | 16:37–17:02 | 21.37abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The tornado first touched down several miles west of Tallahassee International Airport. At the airport, a plane was spun 90 degrees and another small plane was flipped and destroyed. Several airport hangars were also damaged, with some metal roofing being uplifted. One hangar had its front doors shredded, with the supporting structure for one of the doors wrenched free. Further east, a hardwood tree was uprooted and fell onto two cars in a parking lot. Tree damage was noted across the rest of the path. Some trees that were hit were likely weakened by Hurricane Michael in 2018. The tornado finally lifted just before crossing into Jefferson County.[14] |
|
January 30 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EFU | S of Wann | Nowata | OK | | 19:43–19:45 | 1.2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado occurred over an open field which could not be surveyed, and therefore received no rating.[15] |
| EFU | SSE of Wann | Nowata | OK | | 19:46–19:47 | 0.4abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado occurred over an open field which could not be surveyed, and therefore received no rating.[16] |
| EFU | SE of Wann | Nowata | OK | | 19:48–19:50 | 1.5abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado occurred over an open field which could not be surveyed, and therefore received no rating.[17] |
| EFU | SSW of South Coffeyville | Nowata | OK | | 19:56–20:00 | 2abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado occurred over an open field which could not be surveyed and therefore received no rating.[18] |
|
February
February 6 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | SSW of River Bridge | Indian River | FL | | 21:12–21:13 | 0.14abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief, weak landspout caused minor damage to trees and fences.[19] |
|
February 14 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | Seminole | Pinellas | FL | | 06:07–06:14 | 1.29abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A waterspout formed over Boca Ciega Bay, eventually coming onshore. An apartment complex sustained minor roof damage.[20] |
| EF0 | SSW of Bakersville | St. Johns | FL | | 19:30–19:31 | 0.01abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Some tree limbs were downed near Molasses Junction.[21] |
|
February 28 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF1 | N of Vivian | Caddo | LA | | 00:15–00:18 | 1.46abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 165abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A single-family home lost a portion of its roof and an outbuilding sustained damage to its roof panels. A metal storage building had roofing removed, a trampoline was flipped over onto its side, and the skirting of a mobile home was pushed inward. Numerous trees were snapped or uprooted.[22] |
| EF1 | SW of Cumberland City to N of Alpha | Clinton, Wayne | KY | | 02:18–02:23 | 3.66abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several large barns were destroyed or had the majority of their walls blown out. A side-by-side vehicle weighing 2500lbs was moved 30yd and spun 180 degrees. Further northeast on the path, another large barn was destroyed, with its debris being blown NaNmiles downwind. A mobile home near Highway 829 was lifted off its foundation. The tornado then crossed Highway 1009 where another large barn had two walls blown out. Its debris was also blown NaNmiles downwind. The tornado continued into far western Wayne County, where four barns sustained significant damage to the roofing and side walls, several 2x8 boards were impaled in the ground, a house had shingles removed and siding twisted, and another house sustained pillar damage on the porch. Numerous trees were downed along the path.[23] [24] |
|
March
March 1 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF1 | WSW of Riverdale | Clayton | GA | | 11:04–11:05 | 0.74abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado embedded in a line of thunderstorms snapped or uprooted several trees. Some trees fell onto homes. Power lines were also downed.[25] |
|
March 12 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EFU | N of Shallowater | Lubbock | TX | | 23:05–23:10 | 1.34abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado was observed by a trained spotter. No damage occurred.[26] |
| EFU | SW of Paducah | Cottle | TX | | 02:16–02:18 | 0.23abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado was observed by a trained spotter. No damage occurred.[27] |
|
March 14 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EFU | SE of Wheeler | Cheyenne | KS | | 17:50–17:51 | 0.05abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 25abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A landspout tornado was reported near the Wheeler landfill. No damage occurred.[28] |
| EFU | W of Trenton | Hitchcock | NE | | 19:33–19:37 | 0.42abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A photo and report of a landspout tornado was posted on social media. No damage occurred.[29] |
|
March 15 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | WNW of Stilwell | Johnson | KS | | 21:30–21:34 | 1.36abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A weak tornado damaged some residences in a neighborhood. A roof was blown off a garage after wind compromised its large entry doors. Several outbuildings were heavily damaged or destroyed.[30] |
| EFU | N of Baldwin City | Douglas | KS | | 21:54 | 0.28abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A photograph showed a small funnel cloud that likely extended to the ground. No damage was reported.[31] |
| EF0 | NE of Peculiar | Cass | MO | | 22:12 | 0.01abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Brief tornado with no reported damage.[32] |
|
March 17 event
'
March 19 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | Ilwaco | Pacific | WA | | 03:04–03:08 | 0.3abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 60abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Minor damage occurred to trees, fencing, windows, shingles, and other unsecured objects in Ilwaco.[33] |
|
March 22 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EFU | S of Paducah | Cottle | TX | | 00:44 | 0.01abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 20abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A very brief tornado was reported by a trained spotter along the leading edge of a thunderstorm. No damage occurred.[34] |
|
March 23 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF1 | Canyon Lake | Comal | TX | | 06:04–06:06 | 0.35abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A single family home was damaged, two power poles were snapped, and sporadic tree damage occurred.[35] |
| EF1 | Washington | St. Landry | LA | | 12:22–12:24 | 0.91abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A brief tornado severely damaged several roofs and snapped several trees in Washington.[36] |
| EF0 | NNW of Fort Madison | Lee | IA | | 00:19–00:20 | 0.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A very brief tornado destroyed a shed, damaged the roof of a home, and damaged trees.[37] |
| EFU | NW of Rockport | Pike | IL | | 00:19–00:22 | 1.48abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 10abbr=onNaNabbr=on | The tornado tracked mainly across open fields. The condensation funnel did not reach the ground but debris was lofted.[38] |
| EF0 | NNW of Mason City | Mason | IL | | 03:28–03:34 | 2.1abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 30abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Three power poles were snapped at the base.[39] |
|
March 30 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | ENE of Sumrall to SE of Seminary | Covington | MS | | 23:04–23:14 | 3.55abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Tree limbs were broken and a few trees were uprooted.[40] |
| EF1 | E of Farmerville | Union | LA | | 01:54–01:56 | 1.18abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 105abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A small metal outbuilding was destroyed near the Nolan Place subdivision. One home had minor roof damage. Many softwood and hardwood trees were snapped or uprooted along the path.[41] |
|
March 31 event
EF#! scope="col" style="width:7%; text-align:center;" class="unsortable"| Location | County / Parish | State | Start Coord. | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width | Summary |
|---|
| EF0 | Vardaman | Calhoun | MS | | 05:24–05:26 | 1.21abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 80abbr=onNaNabbr=on | A portion of brick veneer was removed from a school building in town. Awnings and trees were also damaged, and some trees fell onto homes and vehicles.[42] |
| EF1 | Hatley | Monroe | MS | | 06:49–06:57 | 4.27abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 200abbr=onNaNabbr=on | Several sheds were damaged or destroyed. Several homes in Hatley had minor roof damage, and trees and power poles were damaged.[43] |
| EF0 | WNW to N of Marion County Public Lake | Marion | AL | | 07:31–07:34 | 1.63abbr=onNaNabbr=on | 90abbr=onNaNabbr=on |
|Large tree branches were broken and several softwood trees were uprooted.
[44] |-|bgcolor="" | EF1|S of Nesmith|
Winston,
Cullman|AL||08:45–08:48|1.19abbr=onNaNabbr=on|305abbr=onNaNabbr=on|One home suffered significant loss of its roof covering and its carport was destroyed. A metal barn lost nearly all of its roof and another barn lost a few metal roof panels. Trees were uprooted and snapped and tree limbs were broken. The tornado dissipated just after crossing into Cullman County, where damage was limited to trees.
[45] [46] |-|bgcolor="" | EF1|ESE of
Sylvania to SW of
Valley Head|
DeKalb|AL||10:44–10:52|3.17abbr=onNaNabbr=on|50abbr=onNaNabbr=on|A row of chicken houses sustained partial roof loss, a well-anchored porch was removed from a manufactured home, and two houses suffered minor damage. Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted.
[47] |-|bgcolor="" | EF0|SSE of
Hayden|
Blount|AL||13:15–13:16|0.21abbr=onNaNabbr=on|65abbr=onNaNabbr=on|A brief tornado broke tree limbs and uprooted several softwood trees.
[48] |-|}
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: U.S. Tornadoes. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Centers for Environmental Information. January 3, 2022.
- Web site: Storm Prediction Center WCM Page . www.spc.noaa.gov . 27 February 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 1, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 7, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 1, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 7, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 1, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 7, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 1, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 7, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 4, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 4, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 6, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 6, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 25, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- Web site: Fultondale EF3 Tornado – January 25, 2021 . National Weather Service Forecast Office in Birmingham, Alabama . 26 January 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 25, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 25, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 25, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database January 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 5, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 6, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 28, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 14, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 28, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 14, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 19, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 28, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 28, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database February 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. May 28, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 1, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 20, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 12, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 12, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 14, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 14, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 15, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 21, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 18, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 22, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 22, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 16, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 23, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 18, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 22, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 18, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 22, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 23, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 23, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 30, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 31, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 31, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 27, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 31, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 27, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 31, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
- National Centers for Environmental Information. Storm Events Database March 31, 2021. National Centers for Environmental Information. June 23, 2021.
