This page includes all Turkey tornadoes that are in ESWD (European Severe Weather Database). Unknown tornadoes are classified under IFU in this page. Climatology Based on historical records and meteorological databases, including the Turkish State Meteorological Service and the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD), over 700 tornado events were documented in Turkey between 1818 and 2026. The intensity of these tornadoes typically ranges from IFU to IF4, with IF1 being the most common.
Most of the tornadoes that happen in Turkey are waterspouts or weak landspouts, but stronger events have been reported, like the Ankara-Çubuk F3 and Akçamezra-Oğuzeli IF4.
Tornadoes in Turkey usually cause significant damage because the country's infrastructure is not designed to withstand tornadoes or high-winds.
List of tornadoes Before 20th century
+List of confirmed tornadoesF#LocationRegionStart Coord.DateTime (UTC)CasualtiesPath lengthMax width F2Çeşmeİzmir5.12.181812:0013 deathsA strong and historical tornado (initially developing as a waterspout) struck Çeşme in the İzmir Province, Turkey, on 5 December 1818. According to 19th-century scientific literature by Gilbert (1828), this strong tornado made landfall, destroyed multiple houses, uprooted trees, and violently threw 13 people and 50 kettles into the sea. Based on the severe historical damage reports, it was rated F2 by ESWD and it stands as one of the earliest scientifically documented tornado events in Turkish history.
20th century
+List of confirmed tornadoesF#LocationRegionStart Coord.DateTime (UTC)CasualtiesPath lengthMax width F2BüyükçekmeceIstanbul19.07.191412:002 deaths, 14 injuriesA strong tornado (initially developing as a waterspout over the Sea of Marmara) made landfall southeast of Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, on 19 July 1914 between 14:30 and 15:00 local time. According to Ottoman Presidential Archive documents and contemporary media reports, the tornado reached a maximum width of approximately 400 meters. As it moved through the Harman location near the lake, it caused severe structural and agricultural destruction, completely flattening crop fields and throwing harvests hundreds of meters into the air. The event resulted in two fatalities and 14 injuries, with total financial damages estimated around 2,000 Ottoman Liras. This historic tornado was the record holder for the largest tornado in Turkey until January 24th 2019. It was rated F2 by ESWD. N/AAdrianopelEdirne28.07.193000:00 (+/-6)20 deaths, 100-1000 injuriesThe 1930 Edirne tornado was a deadly tornado that struck Edirne, Turkey, during the night of 27–28 July 1930. This tornado struck the city center, damaging several houses and the historic Selimiye Mosque. According to contemporary newspaper sources archived in the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD), the disaster killed 20 people and injured hundreds, making it the deadliest tornado ever recorded in Turkish history. IFUŞileIstanbul10.08.199708:00This tornado developed over land at approximately 08:00 UTC, the event was documented by local media outlets, including reports archived by Kent Haber. N/ALaraAntalya22.01.199809:001 death, 1 missing, 3 injuriesThis tornado developed over land at approximately 09:00 UTC, this tornado caused significant casualties and damage. According to contemporary newspaper sources including Hürriyet and ESWD, the event resulted in 1 fatality, 1 missing person, and 3 injuries. IFUGüzelobaAntalya22.01.199809:00NoneThis tornado Developed over land at approximately 09:00 UTC, this tornado was part of the same severe weather outbreak reported by Hürriyet newspaper. N/ASerikAntalya13.02.199902:001 death, 1 injuryThis tornado struck the Serik district in the Antalya Province, Turkey, on 13 February 1999. This tornado resulted in 1 fatality and 1 injury. The tornado was documented by media reports compiled by Kent Haber and is officially archived within the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD). 21st century