List of Storm Prediction Center high risk days

A high risk severe weather event is the greatest threat level issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) for convective weather events in the United States. On the scale from one to five, a high risk is a level five. A high risk is usually for major tornado outbreaks with numerous strong to violent tornadoes expected, and occasionally derechos with widespread destructive wind gusts, and these outlooks are typically reserved for the most extreme events. They are generally only issued on the day of the event. However, as of May 2026, there have been three occurrences (April 7, 2006, April 14, 2012, and March 15, 2025) of a high risk being issued for Day 2 of the outlook period (with the event occurring the following day). Due to how the risk levels are calculated based on probability, a high risk cannot be issued for Day 3 of the outlook period.

High risk days 1982–1989 Thirty-four high risks were issued in the 1980s. Storm Prediction Center High Risk Events – 1982–1989DateYearRegionTornadoesMax ratingPeak gustFatalitiesOutlookNotesMidwest, Southern U.S. Tornado outbreak of April 2–3, 1982 – Sixty-three tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F5. The first ever PDS Tornado Watch was issued on this date.Southern U.S. Twenty-six tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4.Midwest, Southern U.S. Thirteen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4.Midwest Only three weak tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F1.Southern U.S. Eleven weak tornadoes were confirmed; six were rated F1. Southern U.S. 1984 Carolinas tornado outbreak – Twenty-four tornadoes were confirmed; seven were rated F4. In addition to the 57 tornadic deaths, 1,249 people were injured. This was and remained the deadliest official high risk day (since SELS/SPC high risk outlooks began) for over 27 years, surpassed by the Super Outbreak of April 27, 2011.Great Plains Thirty-three tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4.Midwest, Southern U.S. Forty-two tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4. Southern U.S. Thirty-eight tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Midwest, Southern U.S. Eight tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Upper Midwest Twenty-two tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Southern U.S. Eleven tornadoes were confirmed; two were rated F2.Midwest, Southern U.S. Twenty-four weak tornadoes were confirmed; three were rated F1.Midwest, Southern U.S. Fourteen tornadoes were confirmed; three were rated F2.Midwest Seventeen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Midwest Mainly a wind and hail event. Three weak tornadoes were confirmed; two were rated F1.Southern U.S. Tornado outbreak of March 10–12, 1986 – Four tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F2.Southern U.S. Fourteen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Oklahoma, Texas Nine tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3.Texas Seven tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F2.Michigan Produced a derecho with damaging downburst winds. Four weak tornadoes were confirmed.Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi Twenty-eight tornadoes were confirmed; six were rated F2.Southern U.S. Five tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3. The F3 tornado struck the northern portions of the Memphis metropolitan area.Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee Earliest date that a high risk was issued. Fourteen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4.Midwest, Southern U.S. Damaging squall line with tornadoes. Ten tornadoes were confirmed; three were rated F2.Southern U.S. Eighteen tornadoes were confirmed; four were rated F3.Midwest Late season tornado outbreak. Forty-four tornadoes were confirmed; three were rated F3.Southern U.S. 9 Nine tornadoes were confirmed; two were rated F2.Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee Nine tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3. Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico Only high risk ever issued for New Mexico. Twenty tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4. Louisiana, Texas Nineteen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F3. Midwest Thirty-one tornadoes were confirmed; two were rated F4. Louisiana, Texas 1 Only one tornado was confirmed. The high risk was issued in the 1300 UTC outlook and removed from all subsequent outlooks. Southern U.S. November 1989 tornado outbreak – Seventeen tornadoes were confirmed; one was rated F4.

1990–1999 Sixty high risks were issued in the 1990s.