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
Fatal United States tornadoes in 1981
Approximate touchdown location of killer tornadoes in 1981
Only two tornadoes touched down in January, both were rated F0 and took place in California.
February
There were 25 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in February, injuring 82 people.
February 10–11
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 County, North Carolina, killed one person each.
March
There were 33 tornadoes confirmed in the U.S. in March.
A rare anticyclonic tornado struck West Bend, Wisconsin at F4 intensity, killing three people and injuring 53 others. It was part of a small outbreak that produced five tornadoes with 10 additional injuries also taking place.
April 19
Five people were killed in Bixby, Oklahoma by an F3 tornado.
An outbreak of 43 tornadoes occurred in areas from Western Oklahoma to Central Iowa. A large F4 tornado struck Scott, Oklahoma northeast of Binger. The outbreak injured 12 people, but there were no fatalities.
June
There were 223 tornadoes in the US in June, resulting in eight fatalities.
June 3
A small tornado outbreak affected Colorado, including the Denver metro area.[3]
A large tornado outbreak occurred in central England and Wales. About 104 tornadoes were reported to have touched down in what remains the largest tornado outbreak in European history.
