NWS: 12 tornadoes touched down in Texas this weekend. Here's where

Brandi D. Addison, USA TODAY NETWORK
Updated ·3 min read

It's springtime, which, unfortunately for Texas, means increased tornado potential.

That potential was realized over the weekend when local offices of the National Weather Service identified 10 tornadoes touching down in North Texas and Central Texas on Friday, along with two tornadoes in Madisonville — northeast of Bryan-College Station — on Saturday.

Nine of the Friday tornadoes were EF-0 or EF-1, the two lowest ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale. An EF-2 tornado touched down in Tours, northeast of Waco.

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Here's what we know:

10 tornadoes touched down within a 70-mile stretch around Corsicana, Hillsboro and McGregor

All of the tornadoes that occurred Friday fell within a 70-mile stretch along Interstate 35 and Texas 31 around Corsicana, Hillsboro and McGregor.

These tornadoes touched down in only three counties: two in Hill County, four in Navarro County and four in McLennan County. Their locations were:

  • West of Rice: EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 75 mph.

  • Northwest of Tours: EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 75 mph.

  • West of Waco: EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph.

  • West of Frost: EF-0 with maximum wind speeds of 80 mph.

  • Abbott: EF-1 with maximum wind speeds of 95 mph.

  • China Spring near Waco: EF-1 with maximum wind speeds of 95 mph.

  • Penelope: EF-1 with maximum wind speeds of 105 mph.

  • Southwest of Barry: EF-1 with maximum wind speeds of 110 mph.

  • Navarro Mills Lake: EF-1 with maximum wind speeds of 110 mph.

  • North of Tours: EF-2 with maximum wind speeds of 115 mph.

Ten tornadoes dropped in Central Texas and North Texas on Friday.
Ten tornadoes dropped in Central Texas and North Texas on Friday.

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Two tornadoes hit Madisonville on Saturday

Two tornadoes touched down in Madisonville on Saturday evening, according to the Storm Chasing Video page on Facebook. The National Weather Service has not yet released a preliminary report of the damage.

There were no injuries or deaths reported with the tornadoes

No injuries or deaths have been confirmed from the recent tornadoes throughout Texas, though structural damage occurred.

The EF-1 tornado in Penelope damaged two houses. Winds peeled the metal panels off the roof of one house, shifting it off its cinder blocks by about 8 inches, according to the weather service. The other, which was uninhabited, collapsed after winds entered the garage, lifting the roof off the home before it fell back onto the structure and the walls buckled.

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There were also reports of several damaged trees, downed fences, damaged barns, broken windows and severe roof damage.

What's the difference between a tornado warning and a tornado watch?

  • Tornado watch: Tornadoes are possible and residents should be alert.

  • Tornado warning: Tornadoes have been spotted or indicated on weather radar, and residents should seek shelter immediately.

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Interactive map shows history of tornadoes in Texas since 1950

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been tracking tornadoes for decades.

Our interactive map, which contains data from January 1950 to July 31, 2023, pinpoints where a cyclone touched down and traces its path of destruction.

For more recent tornadoes, clicking deeper provides more details, damage estimates and whether someone was injured or killed in the storm.

A history of twisters: Interactive map shows tornadoes in Texas since 1950

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 12 tornadoes touched down in Texas this weekend. See where on this map