Tornadoes of 1981

This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1981, 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.

Synopsis
Numbers for 1981 were below average, both in terms of number of tornadoes and number of fatalities.

January
Only two tornadoes touched down in January, both were rated F0 and took place in California.

February
The first fatal tornadoes of the year occurred during a relatively small outbreak between February 10 and 11. Two F2 tornadoes, one in Walker County, Texas and the other in Hoke/Cumberland Counties, North Carolina, killed one person. Eighty-two people were also injured during the course of the month.

March
Scattered tornado events took place in March, with a total of 33 events taking place. One person was killed by an F2 in Hertford County, North Carolina on March 30.

April
Several small tornado outbreaks took place in April, producing 84 tornadoes. Most of the year's fatalities took place during the month, with 13 people perishing. On April 4 a rare anticyclonic tornado struck West Bend, Wisconsin killing three people. Five people were also killed in Bixby, Oklahoma by an F3 on April 19.

May
There were 187 tornadoes in the US in May. On May 22, a Large wedge F4 tornado struck Binger, Oklahoma.

June
There were 223 tornadoes in the US in June, resulting in eight fatalities. On June 13, an F3 tornado killed four people in Cardington, Ohio.

July
There were 98 tornadoes in the US in July.

August
There were 64 tornadoes in the US in August.

September
There were 26 tornadoes in the US in September.

October
There were 32 tornadoes in the US in October.

November
There were 7 tornadoes in the US in November. On November 23, a large tornado outbreak occurred in central England. About 105 tornadoes were reported to have touched down.

December
There was 1 tornado in the US in December.