This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1979, 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.
On March 29, tornadoes touched down across Iowa and Illinois, including an F4 tornado that hit Braddyville, Iowa. An F0 struck a small suburb of Denver.[7]
April
123 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in April.[8]
April 10–12
The large Wichita Falls F4 tornado moving through town.
A large tornado outbreak also called "Terrible Tuesday",[9] broke out in Texas and Oklahoma. Several deadly tornadoes occurred, including an F4 that decimated buildings in Wichita Falls, killing 42 people. An F2 tornado was notable for killing one person when it struck a mobile home park in Boonville, Indiana. A tornado killed three people in Lawton, Oklahoma. Overall, there were 58 deaths and over 2,000 injuries.
May
There were 112 tornadoes reported in the U.S. in May.[10]
June
150 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in June.[11]
June 28
A small, but deadly outbreak of tornadoes broke out in Iowa and Minnesota, including an F4 that killed three people in Manson, Iowa.[12][13]
July
132 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in July.[14]
July 16
An F3 tornado struck Cheyenne, Wyoming causing one fatality and 40 injuries. The tornado first to receive national attention by videotape as it ripped apart 500 homes.[15]
August
126 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in August.[16]
An F4 tornado touched down in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, being a very rare New England tornado. The tornado was ranked as one of the costliest tornadoes in U.S. history, killing three people.[citation needed]
November
21 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in November.[20]
December
2 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in December.[21]