Tornadoes in 1998
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 1,424 tornadoes in 1998, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. It was the number 7 busiest year in the record. They killed 130 people and injured 1,868. The busiest month was June (376), and the busiest single day was 31 May 1998, with 46.
- 1,424tornadoes
- 130deaths
- 1,868injuries
- 46on the busiest day (31 May 1998)
Tornadoes in 1998 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 1998?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 883 | 62% |
| F1 / EF1 | 382 | 27% |
| F2 / EF2 | 116 | 8% |
| F3 / EF3 | 35 | 2% |
| F4 / EF4 | 6 | <1% |
| F5 / EF5 | 2 | <1% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 47 |
| Feb | 72 |
| Mar | 72 |
| Apr | 182 |
| May | 310 |
| Jun | 376 |
| Jul | 82 |
| Aug | 61 |
| Sep | 104 |
| Oct | 86 |
| Nov | 26 |
| Dec | 6 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1998
- Birmingham, Alabama tornado8 April 1998, F5, 32 deaths, 259 injuries, 30.3 miles long
- Orlando, Florida tornado22 February 1998, F3, 25 deaths, 150 injuries, 28 miles long
- Sanford, Florida tornado22 February 1998, F3, 13 deaths, 36 injuries, 16 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1998
- Birmingham, Alabama tornado8 April 1998, F5, 32 deaths, 259 injuries, 30.3 miles long
- Clifton, Tennessee tornado16 April 1998, F5, 3 deaths, 36 injuries, 69.4 miles long
- Farmer, South Dakota tornado30 May 1998, F4, 6 deaths, 150 injuries, 14 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.