Tornadoes of 1986

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.

Tornadoes of 1986
Map of 1986 tornadoes by state
TimespanJanuary–December 1986
Maximum rated tornadoF4 tornado
Tornadoes in U.S.765[1]
Damage (U.S.)$1 billion (1986 USD)
Fatalities (U.S.)15[2]
Fatalities (worldwide)>15

Synopsis

The 1986 tornado season was one of the least deadly on record in the United States with just 15 fatalities; only 1910 and 2018 had fewer deaths from U.S. tornadoes. There were no F5 tornadoes in 1986 and just three rated F4, none of which resulted in any fatalities. Overall tornado numbers were below normal, although they 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.

Events

Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 1986 in the United States.

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 354 271 116 21 3 0 765

January

There were no tornadoes confirmed in the US in January. This was the first month with no tornadoes since November of 1976.

February

There were 30 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.

February 5

An F3 tornado killed two people in Harris County, Texas.

March

There were 76 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.

March 10–12
Main article: Tornado outbreak of March 10–12, 1986

A large tornado outbreak produced 41 tornadoes on March 10–12, killing six people in Alabama, Indiana and Ohio. One tornado rated F4 in Meridian, Mississippi resulted in no fatalities.

April

There were 84 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April.

April 19

A morning F3 tornado struck Sweetwater, Texas resulting in one death and 100 injuries.

May

There were 173 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May.

May 8

Two tornadoes struck Edmond. The first was a strong F3 which caused significant damage in Edmond, Oklahoma and injured 15 people. The second and much weaker tornado touched down as the main tornado dissipated, causing F1 damage on a discontinuous path.[3][4][5] Overall, no fatalities were reported.

June

There were 134 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June.

July

There were 88 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July.

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.

July 18

Fridley, Minnesota was struck by a photogenic, multi-vortex F2 tornado which captured by KARE 11. It caused significant tree and structural damages.[6]

July 28

An F4 tornado struck Nebraska and Iowa near Sioux City, Iowa. There were no fatalities.

August

There were 67 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August.

August 7

An F2 tornado struck Cranston, Rhode Island becoming the first, and only, significant tornado in Rhode Island history.

September

There were 65 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.

September 24

An F2 tornado hit Vina, California and injured one person.

September 28

An F4 tornado struck Farrar, Iowa resulting in no fatalities.

October

There were 26 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.

November

There were 17 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November.

December

There were 5 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Annual Tornado Maps (1952 - 2011): 1986 Tornadoes". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  2. "Tornadoes in 1986". Tornado History Project. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  3. Sat, Diana Baldwin Published; May 6; Am, 2006 12:00. "The Oklahoman". oklahoman.com. Retrieved 2020-06-20.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Storm Data. Weather Bureau. 1986.
  5. US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "1986 Oklahoma Tornadoes". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  6. "25 years ago, a tornado made broadcasting history in the Twin Cities". MinnPost. 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2019-12-25.
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