List of tornado records
| Rank | Official rating | Date | Location | Minimum peak wind speed | Maximum peak wind speed | Highest confirmed peak wind speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F5 | May 3, 1999 | Bridge Creek, Oklahoma |
281 mph (452 km/h) |
321 mph (517 km/h) | 321 mph (517 km/h) |
| In 2007, Joshua Wurman along with other researchers, published that a Doppler on Wheels recorded 135 m/s (300 mph; 490 km/h) approximately 32 metres (105 ft) above the radar level. In 2021, Wurman along with other researchers, revised the data using improved techniques and published that the Doppler on Wheels actually recorded 321 miles per hour (517 km/h) in the tornado. | ||||||
| 2 | EF5 | March 21, 2025 | Mankato, Minnesota |
288 mph (463 km/h) |
342 mph (550 km/h) | 315 mph (507 km/h) |
| The first wind speed was measured in Rapidan, Minnesota as the tornado was approaching the Rapidan Dam. The measured wind speed via Doppler on Wheels was estimated at 288 mph (463 km/h). However, as the tornado was destroying the Walmart Supercenter located on Madison Avenue in Mankato, Minnesota, another Doppler on Wheels measured peak wind speeds in the tornado was estimated at 342 mph (550 km/h). This is a historic feat, as this tornado would surpass the Bridge Creek-Moore tornado of 1999 to become the fastest wind speed measured on Earth. However, they didn't have a direct accuracy and due to the amount of devastation in the city, the NWS went with the median measurement of 315 mph (507 km/h). | ||||||
| 3 | EF3 | May 31, 2013 | El Reno, Oklahoma |
291 mph (468 km/h) |
336 mph (541 km/h) | 313 mph (504 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds between 257–336 mph (414–541 km/h) at or less than 100 metres (330 ft) above the radar level in a suction vortex inside the tornado. This was later revised by the Doppler on Wheels team to 291–336 mph (468–541 km/h). In 2015, Howard Bluestein, along with other researchers, reported that the radar did capture at least a moment of winds of 313 miles per hour (504 km/h). | ||||||
| 4 | EF4 | May 21, 2024 | Greenfield, Iowa | 309 mph (497 km/h) | 318 mph (512 km/h) | ≥309 mph (497 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) approximately 30–50 m (98–164 ft) above the radar level. Following calculations to more accurately determine peak wind speeds, it was published that ground-relative winds of 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h) could be observed briefly to the immediate east of the main circulation. | ||||||
| 5 | EF5 | May 24, 2011 | Hinton, Oklahoma | 289 mph (465 km/h) | 296 mph (476 km/h) | 295.5 mph (475.6 km/h) |
| RaXPol recorded a wind gust of 124.8 m/s (279 mph; 449 km/h) about 200–230 feet (60–70 m) above the radar level. | ||||||
| 6 | F4 | April 26, 1991 | Ceres, Oklahoma |
268 mph (431 km/h) |
280 mph (450 km/h) | 280 mph (450 km/h) |
| A University of Oklahoma chase team headed by Howard Bluestein utilized mobile doppler weather radar to analyze the tornado. The radar measured peak winds of 120–125 m/s (270–280 mph; 430–450 km/h) between 150–190 m (490–620 ft) above the surface. | ||||||
| 7 | EF2 | June 5, 2009 | Goshen County, Wyoming | Template:N/A | Template:N/A | 271 mph (436 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels observed the entire lifecycle of an EF2 tornado in Goshen County, Wyoming. The radar also observed a peak wind speed of 271 mph (436 km/h) at 15–20 m (49–66 ft) above the ground level. | ||||||
| 8 | F4 | May 30, 1998 | Spencer, South Dakota |
234 mph (377 km/h) |
266 mph (428 km/h) | 264 mph (425 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 264 mph (425 km/h) "well below" 50 metres (160 ft) above the ground level, "perhaps as low as 5–10 metres (16–33 ft) above the radar level". | ||||||
| 9 | EF3 | May 28, 2013 | Bennington, Kansas | Template:N/A | Template:N/A | 264 mph (425 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels recorded winds of 264 mph (425 km/h) approximately 153 ft (47 m) above the ground level. | ||||||
| 10 | F4 | May 3, 1999 | Mulhall, Oklahoma |
246 mph (396 km/h) |
299 mph (481 km/h) | 257 mph (414 km/h) |
| A Doppler on Wheels documented the largest-ever-observed core flow circulation with a distance of 1,600 m (5,200 ft) between peak velocities on either side of the tornado, and a roughly 7 km (4.3 mi) width of peak wind gusts exceeding 43 m/s (96 mph), making the Mulhall tornado the largest tornado ever measured quantitatively. Several vortices contained winds of up to 115 m/s (260 mph) rotating around the tornado. The 3D structure of the tornado has been analyzed in a 2005 article in the Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences by Wen-Chau Lee and Joshua Wurman. | ||||||
During the F5 in the southern Oklahoma City metro area, a Doppler on Wheels situated near the tornado measured winds of 301 ± 20 mph (484 ± 32 km/h) momentarily in a small area inside the funnel approximately 100 m (330 ft) above ground level.
On May 31, 2013, a tornado hit rural areas near El Reno, Oklahoma. The tornado was originally rated as an EF3 based on damage; however, after mobile radar data analysis was conducted, it was concluded to have been an EF5 due to a measured wind speed of greater than 296 mph (476 km/h), second only to the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado. Revised RaXPol analysis found winds of 302 ± 34 mph (486 ± 55 km/h) well above ground level and ≥291 mph (468 km/h) below 10 m (33 ft) with some subvortices moving at 175 mph (282 km/h). These winds may possibly be as high or higher than the winds recorded on May 3, 1999. Despite the recorded windspeed, the El Reno tornado was later downgraded back to EF3 due to the fact that no EF5 damage was found, likely due to the lack of sufficient damage indicators in the largely-rural area west of Oklahoma City.
During the Greenfield, Iowa EF4 on May 21, 2024, Doppler on Wheels recorded wind speeds of 263–271 mph (423–436 km/h) in a very small swath inside the funnel approximately 100–106 ft (30–32 m) above radar level as the tornado went through town. After doing some mathematical and physics-based calculations, the researchers determined those measured winds were equivalent to 309–318 mph (497–512 km/h). The calculated, not measured, minimum wind threshold as stated beats both the 1999 Bridge Creek–Moore tornado and the 2013 El Reno, Oklahoma tornado for minimum possible maximum windspeed; however, the highest confirmed peak windspeeds are lower than the 1999 tornado.
Winds were measured at 262–280 mph (422–451 km/h) using portable Doppler weather radar in the Red Rock, Oklahoma, tornado during the April 26, 1991, tornado outbreak in north-central Oklahoma. Though these winds are possibly indicative of F5 intensity, this particular tornado's path never encountered any significant structures and caused minimal damage, so it was rated F4.
| Rank | Official rating | Date | Tornado Name | Cost (USD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EF5 | March 21, 2025 | Southern Minnesota tornado | $4,500,000,000 USD | |
| The Southern Minnesota EF5 is the costliest tornado of all time in the United States. Damages were estimated at 4.5 billion dollars as the tornado went through the heart of Mankato, a city in Southern Minnesota. The most notable location that was impacted was Minnesota State University (MSU) with damages ranging near $1-2 billion in the area alone. | |||||
| 2 | EF5 | May 22, 2011 | Joplin tornado | $2,800,000,000 USD | |
| The Joplin Missouri EF5 tornado was widely known for being the costliest tornado in U.S. history until 2025. This tornado would tear through the heart of Joplin, forming right outside of town and dissipating right after it left. Causing it's worst damage in the center of Joplin. | |||||
| 3 | EF5 | March 21, 2025 | Mankato tornado | $2,600,000,000 USD | |
| The 2025 Mankato tornado was a deadly and catastrophic tornado that tore through the densely populated areas of North Mankato, and the very business populated Mankato. This tornado would completely destroy River Hills Mall on Madison Avenue, being one of the biggest contributors to the immense cost and damage. | |||||
| 4 | EF5 | May 11, 2030 | Moore tornado | $2,500,000,000 USD | |
| The tornado that impacted Moore, Oklahoma on May 11, 2030 was a deadly, and catastrophic monster which rapidly strengthened and widened over the city. This tornado racked up damages by impacting the densely populated suburbs of southern Moore. The most catastrophic feats of damage occurred near I-35 where EF5 damage would be surveyed. | |||||
| 5 | EF4 | April 27, 2011 | Tuscaloosa-Birmingham tornado | $2,450,000,000 USD | |
| The tornado that struck Tuscaloosa and Birmingham on April 27, 2011 was a deadly and strong EF4. Heading through 2 huge cities, this tornado would rack up damage totals hitting houses and commercial buildings. | |||||
| 6 | EF5 | May 20, 2013 | Newcastle-Moore tornado | $2,000,000,000 USD | |
| The May 20, 2013 Moore EF5 is considered infamous because of the saying: "This is May 3rd all over again...". However, this tornado tore through densely populated areas of Southern Oklahoma City, mainly Moore. Causing immense damage to the city. | |||||
| 7 | EF4 | March 21, 2025 | New Ulm tornado | $1,650,000,000 USD | |
| The 2025 New Ulm tornado was a deadly EF4 tornado that struck the town of New Ulm on the night of March 21, 2025. This tornado would cause extreme damage in downtown, which was many commercial and expensive built structures. | |||||
| 8 | EF3 | March 3, 2020 | Nashville tornado | $1,600,000,000 USD | |
| The Nashville EF3 on March 3, 2020 was a dark and a nightmare scenario tornado. This tornado would form directly over Nashville and intensified quickly. Hitting the commercial areas of Nashville, this tornado would knock out power and destroy many businesses. | |||||
| 9 | EF3 | October 20, 2019 | Dallas tornado | $1,550,000,000 USD | |
| The tornado that struck North Dallas on October 20, 2019 was a rare and late year tornado. The Northern sections of Dallas would suffer heavy damage, mainly well constructed residential areas and some businesses. | |||||
| 10 | EF5 | April 27, 2011 | Hackleburg-Phil Campbell tornado | $1,290,000,000 USD | |
| The EF5 tornado which struck the main cities of Hackleburg and Phil Campbell on April 27, 2011 was apart of the 2011 Super Outbreak. Being the strongest tornado of the outbreak, this tornado would carve scars and trenches in the dirt, and obliterate the 2 cities. | |||||