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.

Quick Facts Summary of tornadoes ...

Fatal United States tornadoes in 1979

Approximate touchdown location of killer tornadoes in 1979

Summary of tornadoes[2] March 31 – Kentucky (1 death) April 10 – Texas, Oklahoma (11 deaths) April 10 – Texas, Oklahoma (1 death) April 10 – Oklahoma (3 deaths) April 10 – Texas, Oklahoma (42 deaths) April 11 – Indiana (1 death) May 2 – Oklahoma (1 death) May 8 – Florida (1 death) June 19 – South Dakota (1 death) June 28 – Iowa (2 deaths) June 28 – Iowa (3 deaths) June 30 – Tennessee (2 deaths) July 16 – Wyoming (1 death) August 9 – Wisconsin (1 death) August 10 – Massachusetts (2 deaths) August 28 – Iowa (2 deaths) September 5 – Virginia (1 death) September 5 – Pennsylvania (1 death) October 3 – Connecticut (3 deaths) October 22 – Arkansas (1 death) October 30 – Oklahoma (3 deaths) Total fatalities: 84

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Numbers for 1979 were similar to that of 1980. Deaths were near normal, but injuries were above normal.

16 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in January, of which all were confirmed.^[3]

4 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in February, of which all were confirmed.^[4]

53 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in March.^[5]

123 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in April.^[8]

There were 112 tornadoes reported in the U.S. in May.^[10]

150 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in June.^[11]

132 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in July.^[14]

126 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in August.^[16]

69 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in September.^[17]

47 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in October.^[19]

21 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in November.^[20]

2 tornadoes were reported in the U.S. in December.^[21]

• Tornado
  • Tornadoes by year
  • Tornado records
  • Tornado climatology
  • Tornado myths
• List of tornado outbreaks
  • List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
  • List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
  • List of 21st-century Canadian tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
  • List of European tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
  • List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks in Asia
  • List of Southern Hemisphere tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
  • List of tornadoes striking downtown areas
• Tornado intensity
  • Fujita scale
  • Enhanced Fujita scale