Tornadoes in 1997
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 1,148 tornadoes in 1997, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. They killed 68 people and injured 1,033. The busiest month was May (225), and the busiest single day was 1 March 1997, with 56.
- 1,148tornadoes
- 68deaths
- 1,033injuries
- 56on the busiest day (1 March 1997)
Tornadoes in 1997 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 1997?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 743 | 65% |
| F1 / EF1 | 281 | 24% |
| F2 / EF2 | 85 | 7% |
| F3 / EF3 | 29 | 3% |
| F4 / EF4 | 9 | <1% |
| F5 / EF5 | 1 | <1% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 50 |
| Feb | 23 |
| Mar | 102 |
| Apr | 114 |
| May | 225 |
| Jun | 193 |
| Jul | 188 |
| Aug | 84 |
| Sep | 32 |
| Oct | 100 |
| Nov | 25 |
| Dec | 12 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1997
- Jarrell, Texas tornado27 May 1997, F5, 27 deaths, 12 injuries, 5.1 miles long
- Little Rock, Arkansas tornado1 March 1997, F4, 10 deaths, 40 injuries, 14 miles long
- Okolona, Arkansas tornado1 March 1997, F4, 6 deaths, 100 injuries, 27 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1997
- Jarrell, Texas tornado27 May 1997, F5, 27 deaths, 12 injuries, 5.1 miles long
- Little Rock, Arkansas tornado1 March 1997, F4, 10 deaths, 40 injuries, 14 miles long
- Okolona, Arkansas tornado1 March 1997, F4, 6 deaths, 100 injuries, 27 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.