Tornadoes of 1962


This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1962, 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.

Events

United States yearly total

January

There were 12 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.

January 5–6

A tornado outbreak hit the Southeast. The 11 tornadoes killed one and injured 33.

February

There were 25 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.

March

There were 37 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March.

March 20–21

An outbreak of eight tornadoes hit the Southeast, injuring 12.

March 22

A rare F2 tornado hit California.

March 30–31

A destructive outbreak of 11 tornadoes hit the Southeast. A large, catastrophic nighttime F3 tornado carved a 6.9 mile path of devastation through the north side of Milton, Florida with little to no warning. Several neighborhood were wrecked with many homes being heavily damaged or destroyed. 17 people were killed and 100 were injured. Overall, the outbreak killed 17 and injured 105.

April

There were 41 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April.

April 8

Three weak, but destructive tornadoes hit the Southeast, killing one.

April 26–28

An outbreak of 17 tornadoes hit the Midwest and the Southeast, killing one and injuring 19.

April 30

An outbreak of 17 tornadoes hit the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, including a long-tracked F3 tornado that injured 49 in South Bend, Indiana. Overall, the outbreak injured 57.

May

There were 200 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May. May 14 started an extremely active period of tornadoes with at least one confirmed everyday until June 25.

May 7–8

An outbreak sequence of 10 tornadoes hit the Great Plains, Midwest, and Virginia, killing one and injuring seven.

May 14–June 1

A massive, long-lived outbreak sequence of 198 tornadoes impacted almost every state in the Continental United States, killing three and injuring 168.

June

There were 171 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June.

June 8

A rare F1 tornado touched down in Puerto Rico. This was followed by a small outbreak of nine tornadoes in Texas and Kansas. None of the tornadoes caused casualties.

June 23

A small outbreak of six tornadoes hit Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kansas, with an F2 tornado injuring 10 in the southern suburbs of Chicago.

July

There were 78 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July.

August

There were 51 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August.

August 5–6

A small, but destructive outbreak of 10 tornadoes struck the Dakotas and Kansas, injuring three.

August 20

F2 tornadoes touched down in Maine, Texas, and Ohio with the Ohio tornado killing four and injuring 20 in the southwestern suburbs of Cleveland.

August 28

The second of two weak tornadoes in Louisiana caused catastrophic F1 damage when it moved directly through Cameron, killing two and injuring 30.

September

There were 24 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.

September 15–16

A localized, but devastating outbreak of three tornadoes impacted South Dakota and Minnesota with a violent F4 tornado injuring 34 in Southeastern Rochester, Minnesota.

October

There were 11 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.

November

There were 5 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November.

December

There were 2 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.