Tornadoes of 1959
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1959, 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.
| Timespan | 1959 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado | F4 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 604[1] |
| Damage (U.S.) | Unknown |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 58 |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | >58 |
Events
United States yearly total
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 145 | 262 | 155 | 35 | 7 | 0 | 604 |
January
There were 16 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.
January 20–21
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
All 16 January tornadoes touched down in an intense outbreak that struck the Southeast. Three people were killed and five others were injured.
February
There were 20 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.
March
There were 43 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.
March 13–15
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak of nine tornadoes struck the Great Plains and the Mississippi Valley, killing three and injuring 28.
March 20–21
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak of six tornadoes hit Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama with no casualties.
March 25–26
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak of 14 tornadoes struck the Great Plains and the Southeast with no casualties.
April
There were 30 confirmed tornadoes in the US in April.
May
There were 226 confirmed tornadoes in the US in May.
May 8–12
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 10 | 21 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
An outbreak of 60 tornadoes hit areas from New Mexico and Kansas to Alabama and Connecticut, killing seven and injuring 34.
May 20
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
An outbreak of 13 tornadoes hit the Midwest and Alabama, injuring 13.
May 30
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Seven scattered tornadoes touched down across the US, killing one and injuring two.
June
There were 73 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June.
June 10–12
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak sequence of 14 tornadoes hit the Midwest and the Mississippi Valley, killing one.
June 17
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
An F3 tornado tore through the western suburbs of Miami, injuring 77. Other tornadoes took place in Florida and Nebraska.
June 26
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Four scattered tornadoes touched down across the US, killing one and injuring another.
July
There were 63 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July.
August
There were 38 confirmed tornadoes in the US in August.
September
There were 58 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.
October
There were 24 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.
November
There were 11 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November.
November 2–4
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
An outbreak sequence of 10 tornadoes struck the US, injuring three. It also included the first confirmed tornado ever recorded in Alaska, the only state to have not confirmed one since 1950.
December
There were 2 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.