Tornadoes · United States · Alabama · 2025
EF1 tornado, Saks to Blue Mtn, Alabama, May 20, 2025
From Saks to Blue Mtn, this EF1 tornado ran 3.5 miles across Calhoun County on May 20, 2025, touching down at 11:38 PM CDT and reaching 1,000 yards wide. It killed nobody.
The rating scale
Tracks are drawn in the color of the rating. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates the damage rather than measuring the wind: the speeds are what that damage is taken to imply.
EF065 to 85 mph
Light damage. Surface peeled off some roofs, gutters and siding damaged, branches broken, shallow-rooted trees pushed over.
EF186 to 110 mphthis tornado
Moderate damage. Roofs badly stripped, mobile homes overturned or badly damaged, exterior doors lost, windows broken.
EF2111 to 135 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off well-built houses, frame homes shifted on their foundations, mobile homes destroyed, large trees snapped or uprooted, cars lifted off the ground.
EF3136 to 165 mph
Severe damage. Whole stories of well-built houses destroyed, large buildings badly damaged, trains overturned, trees debarked, heavy cars lifted and thrown.
EF4166 to 200 mph
Devastating damage. Well-built houses leveled, structures with weak foundations moved some distance, cars thrown and large missiles generated.
EF5over 200 mph
Incredible damage. Strong frame houses swept off their foundations, car-sized missiles thrown more than 100 meters, steel-reinforced concrete badly damaged, high-rise buildings deformed.
Unrated
The survey recorded a tornado but could not put a number on it, most often because it crossed open country and damaged nothing a rating can be read from.
The record
- Rating
- EF1
- Date
- May 20, 2025
- Touchdown
- 11:38 PM CDT (04:38 UTC)
- Lifted
- 11:42 PM CDT (04:42 UTC)
- On the ground
- 4 minutes
- Path length
- 3.5 miles (5.7 km)
- Path width
- 1,000 yards (914 m)
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- County
- Calhoun County
- Touchdown point
- 33.695, -85.885
- Lift-off point
- 33.679, -85.827
- Record number
- 2505202238-01
The damage survey
25 damage points were recorded along this path by NWS BMX, in the Damage Assessment Toolkit the survey teams carry. The strongest indicator was rated EF1. The highest wind the damage implies is 94 mph.
- U Portable carport overturned. A few small branches down in the area.
- Trunks snapped off the road over Fort McClellan
- Tree on manufactured home.
- One concrete pole, bent in the direction of the wind
Survey points are preliminary and are the raw material the published rating was built from. Source: NWS Damage Assessment Toolkit.
What the Weather Service recorded
A large, negatively-tilted trough over the central Plains ushered a cold front through the Central Alabama region late on May 20. Clusters of showers and thunderstorms developed into a broken line, moving across northern and eastern areas from Marion County to Cleburne County. A more concentrated area of wind damage occurred from eastern St. Clair to eastern Calhoun County, with numerous trees and power lines downed. An EF1 tornado was confirmed in the Saks area as well. Another EF1 tornado occurred in southeastern Cleburne County near Macedonia, near the Georgia state line. Early the next morning, a lone cell formed near the city of Montgomery and moved southeastward, producing another EF1 tornado in Bullock County around 4 AM CDT.
This tornado appears to have touched down somewhere in the|restricted area of the Pelham Range based on radar. The first|accessible damage occurred along Calhoun County Road (CR)|109 (Bynum Leatherwood Rd) just north of the Lloyds Chapel|Cemetery, where several large trees were uprooted. The tornado|continued to the east-southeast crossing Reaves Road and Gardendale Drive,|where swaths of trees were snapped or uprooted, with trees|falling on a manufactured home and a site built home in the area. Several pine trees were still blocking traffic across CR|46 (Parkwood Rd) near the intersection with McCulley Ln. The|tornado continued east-southeast roughly along CR 46, before crossing|Alexandria Rd, where several streets were blocked with uprooted|hardwood trees. As the tornado approached US Highway 431,|significant damage continued but became more sparse and sporadic|as the tornado appeared to end and transition to a thunderstorm|wind event.
From NOAA NCEI's Storm Events Database, the narrative the local forecast office wrote for Storm Data.
The warnings
17 minutes of warning. NWS BMX issued a tornado warning for this county at 04:21 UTC, 17 minutes before the tornado touched down, in force until 05:15 UTC.
The county was under a tornado watch, issued at 23:46 UTC and running to 07:00 UTC.
| Issued (UTC) | Expired | Product | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23:46 UTC | 07:00 UTC | Tornado Watch | BMX |
| 04:21 UTC | 05:15 UTC | Tornado Warning | BMX |
| 05:48 UTC | 06:11 UTC | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BMX |
Every warning and watch covering the touchdown point that day, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service products. Lead time is measured from the issue of the warning in force to the touchdown time in the database, both of which were recorded to the minute by different people.
The forecast that day
The Storm Prediction Center had this point in a Enhanced Risk, with a 0.05 chance of a tornado within 25 miles. The outlook in force was issued at 00:50 UTC.
SPC's Day 1 convective outlook as it stood when the tornado began, read at the touchdown point. The same archive is on the radar archive.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the tornado touched down, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Birmingham, AL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the tornado touched down at May 20, 10:11 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Updated at 630 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025
- There is a risk (Level 3 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for the northern half of Central Alabama. There is a risk (Level 1 to 2 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for most of the remainder of Central Alabama except for the far southeastern counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some strong, are all possible.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 10:11 PM CDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Birmingham AL Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 1011 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ...New SHORT TERM... .KEY MESSAGES... Updated at 630 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 - There is a risk (Level 3 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for the northern half of Central Alabama. There is a risk (Level 1 to 2 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for most of the remainder of Central Alabama except for the far southeastern counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some strong, are all possible. && .SHORT TERM... (Tonight through Thursday) Issued at 1011 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 Right now a small area of showers and thunderstorms is moving through the northern third of the area this evening. We are seeing some additional activity developing in central MS and sliding northeastward as well. Around midnight we may see both areas begin to fill in and form a descent line as it moves southward. The storms that have develop have been troublesome at times, so would expect it to continue through the next few hours. PoPs are updated and out. 16 && .LONG TERM... (Wednesday night through next Monday) Issued at 1245 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 Very little change with this long term forecast update. We remain dry and slightly cooler in the wake of a cold front. Our "coolest" day looks to be Friday with highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s for those across our northern counties. Our unsettled pattern returns over the weekend as a series of upper level waves move through the region. This will bring low to moderate chances for showers and storms through the holiday weekend and into next week. 95/Castillo && .AVIATION... (00Z TAFS) Issued at 630 PM CDT TUE MAY 20 2025 VFR right now across the area. A front will be approaching the area, with isolated cells ahead of the line of showers and storms. For this set of TAFs went with the best timing for the line of showers and storms at each location with tempo wording. Once the front clears then conditions improve 2 to 4 hours later. Winds will increase after sunrise with gusty conditions Wednesday afternoon. 16 && .FIRE WEATHER... Moisture will continue to increase across the region this afternoon. This will keep Min RH values near or above 50 percent today. 20 ft winds will be from the south or southwest around 10 mph during the afternoon. Increasing thunderstorms chances begin this afternoon/evening across the area as a cold front moves through. Dry conditions return Wednesday through Friday with min RH values dropping to the 30 to 45 percent range each afternoon. Rain chances return as we head through the weekend. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... Gadsden 65 82 57 82 / 80 0 0 10 Anniston 67 83 59 84 / 80 0 0 0 Birmingham 67 83 61 84 / 80 0 0 0 Tuscaloosa 66 86 60 87 / 80 0 0 0 Calera 67 84 61 86 / 80 0 0 0 Auburn 70 85 62 87 / 60 0 0 0 Montgomery 70 87 61 89 / 80 0 0 0 Troy 70 87 61 89 / 60 10 0 0 && .BMX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && SHORT TERM...16 LONG TERM....02 AVIATION...16
Hazardous weather outlook, May 20, 1:04 PM CDT, 10 hours 34 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Birmingham AL Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA 104 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 ALZ011>015-017>050-212115- Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee- Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa- Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon- Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour- 104 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham. .DAY ONE...Outlook through Tonight. There is a risk (Level 3 out of 5) of severe storms this evening for the northern half of Central Alabama. There is a risk (Level 1 to 2 out of 5) of severe storms Tuesday evening for most of the remainder of Central Alabama except for the far southeastern counties. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes, some strong, are all possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Activation of storm spotters and emergency management may be needed from early this evening through early Wednesday morning.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, May 20, 10:23 PM CDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1023 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ018-019-210415-
Calhoun AL-Etowah AL-
1023 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Calhoun and
southeastern Etowah Counties through 1115 PM CDT
...
At 1023 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Neely Henry Lake, or near Rainbow City, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Gadsden, Jacksonville, Rainbow City, Piedmont, Hokes Bluff, Glencoe,
Ohatchee, Jacksonville State University, Neely Henry Lake, Southside,
Cobb City, Knightens Crossroads, Sulphur Springs, Reaves, and
Wellington.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for central,
northeastern and east central Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3397 8574 3396 8553 3389 8553 3389 8560
3388 8560 3388 8564 3385 8564 3384 8559
3380 8559 3380 8561 3383 8605 3384 8607
3385 8605 3386 8606 3386 8610 3390 8611
3390 8612 3394 8612 3401 8575
TIME...MOT...LOC 0323Z 264DEG 31KT 3388 8605
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHSpecial weather statement, May 20, 10:35 PM CDT, 1 hour 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1035 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ020-021-210430-
Cleburne AL-Cherokee AL-
1035 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of northeastern Cleburne
and southeastern Cherokee Counties through 1130 PM CDT
...
At 1035 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 8 miles northwest of Cave Spring to Tennala to
near Ball Flat. Movement was east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Piedmont, Forney, Tennala, Muscadine, Pleasant Gap, Mars Hills, Ball
Flat, Moshat, Eastern Weiss Lake, Coloma, Coleman Lake And
Campground, Spring Garden, Liberty Hill, Oak Level, and Borden
Springs.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for northeastern
and east central Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3372 8535 3379 8560 3380 8560 3380 8559
3384 8559 3385 8564 3388 8564 3388 8560
3389 8560 3389 8553 3395 8553 3397 8574
3401 8575 3410 8568 3422 8545
TIME...MOT...LOC 0335Z 289DEG 26KT 3422 8541 3408 8565 3401 8577
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHLocal storm report, May 20, 10:53 PM CDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
1053 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0824 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 ENE Byrd 34.10N 88.07W
05/20/2025 Marion AL Public
Social media report of trees and power lines
down across Highway 17 near Luster Place Rd
with the highway blocked.
&&Special weather statement, May 20, 10:55 PM CDT, 43 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1055 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ023-210445-
Tuscaloosa AL-
1055 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Tuscaloosa
County through 1145 PM CDT
...
At 1055 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Jena, or 12 miles southwest of Northport, moving east at 50 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Tuscaloosa, Northport, Holt, Lake View, Brookwood, Coaling, Vance,
Coker, Tannehill Ironworks State Park, Abernant, McFarland Mall,
Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, Bryant
Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Lake Wildwood, University
Mall, Deerlick Creek Campgrounds, Mercedes Benz Of Alabama, and North
Bibb.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for central and
west central Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3331 8716 3330 8713 3329 8712 3329 8711
3328 8707 3325 8707 3322 8710 3324 8714
3319 8720 3313 8720 3313 8728 3309 8731
3304 8732 3302 8783 3322 8784
TIME...MOT...LOC 0355Z 262DEG 42KT 3313 8776
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPHSpecial weather statement, May 20, 10:56 PM CDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1056 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ026-210430-
St. Clair AL-
1056 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central St.
Clair County through 1130 PM CDT
...
At 1056 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Ashville, or near Odenville, moving east at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Ashville, Ragland, Neely Henry Lake, and Neely Henry Dam.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for central and
east central Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3381 8606 3380 8606 3377 8604 3376 8607
3374 8609 3373 8611 3371 8613 3371 8614
3369 8615 3369 8618 3370 8618 3370 8620
3372 8637 3383 8634
TIME...MOT...LOC 0356Z 273DEG 19KT 3374 8630
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
32/JDavisSpecial weather statement, May 20, 11:28 PM CDT, 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Birmingham AL
Issued by National Weather Service Peachtree City GA
1128 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
ALZ021-210500-
Cleburne AL-
1128 PM CDT Tue May 20 2025
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Cleburne County through MIDNIGHT CDT
...
At 1128 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mars Hills, or 11 miles southeast of Piedmont, moving east at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mars Hills and Oak Level.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.
A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 100 AM CDT for east central
Alabama.
&&
LAT...LON 3379 8549 3387 8548 3388 8538 3377 8536
3376 8536
TIME...MOT...LOC 0428Z 273DEG 29KT 3383 8545
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHThe air that afternoon
The radiosonde launches on either side of the tornado, from the nearest station that was launching then, drawn and analyzed the way Storm Lab does: the same diagram, the same parcel and shear definitions SPC's mesoanalysis uses.
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), 00:00Z
4.6 hours before the tornado, 103 km from the path. May 21, 2025.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1265 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -6 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 1796 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1357 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 48 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 175 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 235 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.8
- Supercell composite
- 6.6
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 7.0 K/km
Birmingham, AL (KBMX), 12:00Z
7.4 hours after it, 103 km from the path. May 21, 2025.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -6881 J/kg
- Surface CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1008 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 37 kt
- 0-1 km bulk shear
- 22 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -114 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 1 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
- 0-3 km lapse rate
- 4.2 K/km
The radar
The Birmingham radar (KBMX), 102 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the touchdown began at 04:35 UTC.
Open the radar archive at this moment, over the track
Reflectivity and velocity, decoded from the Level II archive in the browser. Volumes take a few seconds to open the first time.
What was reported nearby
Local storm reports within 60 km of the path, in the three hours either side.
| Time (UTC) | Report | Where | County | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04:02 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 4 W Ragland | St. Clair, AL | Several trees and tree limbs down on CR 26 west of Ragland. Much of Ragland without power. |
| 04:21 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 3 Ssw Ohatchee | Calhoun, AL | Power lines down in the Boiling Springs area. |
| 04:35 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 2 W Saks | Calhoun, AL | Numerous trees and power lines down across Calhoun County from south of Ohatchee to near Saks and Fort McClellan. Some trees fell on homes or blocked roads. |
| 04:38 UTC | TORNADO | 3 Wsw Saks | Calhoun, AL | NWS Storm Survey Team confirmed an EF-1 tornado caused damage from Saks into portions of Anniston. The tornado was 3.52 miles long, 1000 yards wide, with maximum winds estimated at 95 MPH. |
| 05:07 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 1 Ne Heflin | Cleburne, AL | Tree down on Highway 46 and Evans Bridge Rd in Heflin. |
| 05:28 UTC | TORNADO | 4 Nnw Ranburne | Cleburne, AL | NWS meteorologists confirmed and EF-1 tornado caused damage in the Macedonia community of Cleburne County. The tornado was 1.97 miles long, 550 yards wide, with maximum winds estimated at 95 MPH. |
| 05:30 UTC | TSTM WND DMG | 3 N Ranburne | Cleburne, AL | Several reports of damage around CR 67, CR 95, and CR 611. One home was reported to have roof damage. |
From the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service local storm reports.
This ground now
The live radar over the trackEvery 2025 tornado in AlabamaEvery tornado in Alabama since 1950Warnings in force in Alabama nowThe forecast where you are
The other tornadoes of May 20, 2025
38 more were confirmed in the United States that day.
| Date | Time | Rating | Where | Path (mi) | Width (yd) | Deaths | Injuries | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 20 | 1:08 AM CDT | EF1 | Cape Girardeau, MO | 1.7 | 150 | $200,000 | ||
| May 20 | 1:41 AM CDT | EF0 | Lamar, TX | 0.1 | 50 | |||
| May 20 | 1:46 AM CDT | EF1 | Union, IL | 1.8 | 50 | $80,000 | ||
| May 20 | 2:08 AM CDT | EF1 | Hot Spring, AR | 3.8 | 100 | |||
| May 20 | 12:03 PM CDT | EF1 | Lauderdale, AL | 1.8 | 80 | |||
| May 20 | 1:20 PM CDT | EF0 | Marshall, TN | 1.4 | 300 | $250,000 | ||
| May 20 | 2:58 PM EDT | EF1 | Roane, TN | 0.5 | 100 | $50,000 | ||
| May 20 | 2:15 PM CDT | EF0 | Douglas, IL | 2.9 | 20 | |||
| May 20 | 3:15 PM CDT | EF0 | Madison, TN | 1.3 | 75 | $15,000 | ||
| May 20 | 3:27 PM CDT | Unrated | Logan, IL | 1.1 | 30 | |||
| May 20 | 3:59 PM CDT | EF0 | Lewis, TN | 2.7 | 50 | |||
| May 20 | 4:09 PM CDT | Unrated | Ford, IL | 0.7 | 100 | |||
| May 20 | 4:57 PM CDT | EF0 | Champaign, IL | 0.9 | 30 | |||
| May 20 | 5:04 PM CDT | EF1 | Chicot, AR | 11.6 | 700 | |||
| May 20 | 5:06 PM CDT | EF1 | Vermilion, IL | 5.0 | 80 | |||
| May 20 | 5:06 PM CDT | EF0 | Vermilion, IL | 6.7 | 40 | |||
| May 20 | 5:08 PM CDT | EF0 | Montgomery, TN | 9.3 | 100 | $250,000 | ||
| May 20 | 5:10 PM CDT | EF1 | Lauderdale, AL | 17.1 | 575 | $688,000 | ||
| May 20 | 5:25 PM CDT | EF0 | Montgomery, TN | 3.2 | 200 | $250,000 | ||
| May 20 | 5:39 PM CDT | EF0 | Vermilion, IL | 1.7 | 30 | |||
| May 20 | 5:47 PM CDT | EF0 | Coffee, TN | 1.1 | 150 | $250,000 | ||
| May 20 | 5:51 PM CDT | Unrated | Limestone, AL | 2.2 | 25 | |||
| May 20 | 6:09 PM CDT | EF2 | Limestone, AL | 13.2 | 125 | |||
| May 20 | 6:09 PM CDT | EF1 | Limestone, AL | 0.9 | 65 | |||
| May 20 | 6:11 PM CDT | EF1 | Limestone, AL | 2.8 | 160 | $927,000 | ||
| May 20 | 6:51 PM CDT | EF1 | Madison, AL | 8.7 | 280 | |||
| May 20 | 6:52 PM CDT | EF1 | Morgan, AL | 11.0 | 540 | |||
| May 20 | 7:07 PM CDT | EF2 | Madison, AL | 7.3 | 400 | |||
| May 20 | 7:14 PM CDT | EF1 | Jackson, AL | 10.5 | 275 | |||
| May 20 | 7:29 PM CDT | EF1 | Cumberland, TN | 4.8 | 150 | $250,000 | ||
| May 20 | 8:46 PM CDT | EF1 | Marshall, AL | 3.4 | 150 | |||
| May 20 | 8:47 PM CDT | EF0 | Jackson, AL | 6.1 | 105 | |||
| May 20 | 9:33 PM CDT | EF1 | DeKalb, AL | 6.0 | 700 | |||
| May 20 | 9:49 PM CDT | EF1 | DeKalb, AL | 0.4 | 250 | |||
| May 20 | 11:42 PM EDT | EF0 | Gordon, GA | 4.7 | 200 | |||
| May 20 | 11:43 PM EDT | EF0 | Gordon, GA | 2.4 | 100 | |||
| May 20 | 12:09 AM EDT | EF0 | Cherokee, GA | 2.0 | 150 | |||
| May 20 | 12:28 AM CDT | EF1 | Cleburne, AL | 2.0 | 550 |
What this means
Ratings are the survey's, read off the damage rather than measured; the rating scale is above. Tornado counts rise through the record as reporting improved, so a year in the 1950s is not comparable with one today except for the strongest tornadoes, which were always noticed.
Sources
NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database, 1950-2025, the official record kept by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center.