Historical Records Database
The Widest Tornadoes in History
When the National Weather Service (NWS) records the "maximum width" of a tornado, they are measuring the peak horizontal extent of the physical damage path left behind by the vortex. Local NWS offices track these metrics to help communities understand the true scale of the devastation.
While most tornadoes are measured in yards, a rare few reach staggering proportions. The 2004 Hallam tornado reached an unbelievable 2.5 miles across, only to be beaten by the infamous 2013 El Reno tornado, which expanded to a record-breaking 2.6 miles wide. Below are the widest tornadoes in our archive.
| Rank | Storm Event | Rating | Max Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | El Reno2013 | EF3 | 2.6 mi |
| #2 | Hallam2004 | F4 | 4,400 yards |
| #3 | Moore2013 | EF5 | 1,900 yards |
| #4 | St. Louis-East St. Louis1896 | F4 | 1 mi |
| #5 | Mulhall1999 | F4 | 1,760 yards |
| #6 | Joplin2011 | EF5 | 1 mi |
| #7 | Spencer1998 | F4 | 1,600 yards |
| #8 | Rainsville2011 | EF5 | 1,320 yards |
| #9 | Smithville2011 | EF5 | 1,320 yards |
| #10 | Enterprise2011 | EF4 | 1,056 yards |
Sources & Citations
- National Weather Service Norman, OK. "The May 31, 2013 El Reno, OK Tornado." Weather.gov
- Data compiled from the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).