Oklahoma Tornadoes
Oklahoma averages ~65 tornadoes per year and has been struck by some of the most consequential tornado events in US history. Peak season: April–June.
Notable Oklahoma Tornadoes with Full Details
Bridge Creek–Moore F5
· May 3, 1999
Highest wind speed ever measured on Earth: 301 mph. 36 killed. Read the full story →
El Reno tornado
· May 31, 2013
2.6 miles wide — widest ever recorded. Killed the TWISTEX storm-chasing team. Read the full story →
Other Historic Oklahoma Tornadoes
- Woodward, OK (1947) — F5, 116 killed in Oklahoma alone (part of the Glazier–Higgins–Woodward tornado family)
- El Reno–Piedmont, OK (May 24, 2011) — EF5, 9 killed
- Enid, OK (1986) — F5
- Prague, OK (1960) — F5
Key Facts About Oklahoma Tornado Activity
- Home to the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, OK
- The city of Moore has been struck by five significant tornadoes since 1999 — an unusual concentration that has drawn scientific attention
- Oklahoma requires storm shelter grants for school districts in tornado-prone counties, driven partly by the 2013 Moore disaster
Oklahoma Tornado Season
Peak activity in Oklahoma: April–June. Even outside this window, violent tornadoes are possible — no month is fully safe. Residents should have a household tornado plan year-round. See our tornado season guide → and tornado safety guide →.
→ Simulate a tornado in Oklahoma on our map
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Oklahoma is one of the highest-tornado-risk states in the country. Prepare before the next event: