Tornadoes in 1988
The Storm Prediction Center recorded 702 tornadoes in 1988, against an average of 967 a year from 1950 to 2025. They killed 32 people and injured 688. The busiest month was May (132), and the busiest single day was 8 May 1988, with 57.
- 702tornadoes
- 32deaths
- 688injuries
- 57on the busiest day (8 May 1988)
Tornadoes in 1988 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 1988?
| Rating | Tornadoes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| F0 / EF0 | 283 | 40% |
| F1 / EF1 | 311 | 44% |
| F2 / EF2 | 81 | 12% |
| F3 / EF3 | 24 | 3% |
| F4 / EF4 | 3 | <1% |
| F5 / EF5 | 0 | 0% |
| Unknown rating | 0 | 0% |
Show the numbers
| Period | Count |
|---|---|
| Jan | 17 |
| Feb | 4 |
| Mar | 28 |
| Apr | 58 |
| May | 132 |
| Jun | 63 |
| Jul | 103 |
| Aug | 61 |
| Sep | 76 |
| Oct | 19 |
| Nov | 121 |
| Dec | 20 |
Deadliest tornadoes of 1988
- Shannon Hills, Arkansas tornado15 November 1988, F2, 5 deaths, 60 injuries, 49 miles long
- Wake Forest, North Carolina tornado27 November 1988, F4, 4 deaths, 154 injuries, 83 miles long
- Madison, Florida tornado19 April 1988, F3, 4 deaths, 18 injuries, 12 miles long
Strongest tornadoes of 1988
- Wake Forest, North Carolina tornado27 November 1988, F4, 4 deaths, 154 injuries, 83 miles long
- Franklin, Tennessee tornado24 December 1988, F4, 1 death, 7 injuries, 6 miles long
- Kosciusko, Mississippi tornado19 January 1988, F4, 1 injury, 13 miles long
Many of these tornadoes killed or injured people. The numbers are the official record's, and they may be revised.
Where the 1988 tornadoes started
- Texas (89)
- Mississippi (62)
- Iowa (49)
- Colorado (47)
- Florida (46)