Tornadoes of 1986
Map of 1986 tornadoes by state
|
|
| Timespan | January–December 1986 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado |
F4 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 765 |
| Damage (U.S.) | $1 billion (1986 USD) |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 15 |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | >15 |
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1986, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
The 1986 tornado season saw a record low for fatalities with just 15. The next closest was 2016 with 17 fatalities. There were no F5 tornadoes in 1986 and just three rated F4, none of which resulted in any fatalities. Overall tornado numbers were not bad, and in fact were higher than 1987. The total number of tornadoes was 765. Idaho saw 10 tornadoes between May and September, a high number for the state that would not be surpassed until 1993.
Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 1986 in the United States.
There were no tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.
There were 30 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February. On February 5, an F3 tornado killed two people in Harris County, Texas.
There were 76 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March. An outbreak that produced 41 tornadoes on March 10-12 killed six people in Alabama, Indiana and Ohio. One tornado rated F4 in Mississippi resulted in no fatalities.
There were 84 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April. On the morning of April 19th, an F3 tornado struck Sweetwater, Texas resulting in one death and one hundred injuries.
There were 173 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May.
There were 134 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June.
There were 88 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July. On July 2, an F2 tornado killed three in Onslow County, North Carolina. This would be the most people killed by a single tornado in 1986. On July 28, an F4 tornado struck Nebraska and Iowa (near Sioux City), resulting in no fatalities.
There were 67 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August, including an F2 tornado in Cranston, Rhode Island on August 7. It was the only significant tornado in Rhode Island history.
There were 65 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September. On September 24, an F2 tornado hit Vina, California and injured one person, and on September 28, an F4 tornado struck Iowa resulting in no fatalities.
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