Tornadoes in 1976
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 834 tornadoes in 1976, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. They killed 44 people and injured 1,195. The busiest month was March (180), and the busiest single day was 20 March 1976, with 48.
- 834tornadoes
- 44deaths
- 1,195injuries
- 48on the busiest day (20 March 1976)
Tornadoes in 1976 were rated on the Fujita (F) scale. Counts of weak tornadoes in particular depend on how many were spotted and reported, which has changed over the decades, so compare years with care.
How strong were the tornadoes of 1976?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 241 | 29% |
| F1 / EF1 | 361 | 43% |
| F2 / EF2 | 168 | 20% |
| F3 / EF3 | 48 | 6% |
| F4 / EF4 | 13 | 2% |
| F5 / EF5 | 3 | <1% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 12 |
| Feb | 36 |
| Mar | 180 |
| Apr | 113 |
| May | 155 |
| Jun | 169 |
| Jul | 84 |
| Aug | 38 |
| Sep | 35 |
| Oct | 11 |
| Nov | 0 |
| Dec | 1 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1976
- Sherwood, Arkansas tornado29 March 1976, F3, 5 deaths, 64 injuries, 17.2 miles long
- Flora, Mississippi tornado29 March 1976, F4, 3 deaths, 177 injuries, 22.3 miles long
- Rowland, North Carolina tornado15 May 1976, F2, 3 deaths, 4 injuries, 10.1 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1976
- Panama, Oklahoma tornado26 March 1976, F5, 2 deaths, 64 injuries, 11.9 miles long
- Ames, Iowa tornado13 June 1976, F5, 9 injuries, 21.3 miles long
- Brownwood, Texas tornado19 April 1976, F5, 11 injuries, 10.5 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.
Where the 1976 tornadoes started
- Texas (178)
- Florida (67)
- North Dakota (52)
- Colorado (42)
- Indiana (36)