This is a list of all tornadoes that were confirmed by the National Climatic Data Center in the United States from January to March 1982. During this period, 81 tornadoes touched down across 23 states, resulting in 7 fatalities and numerous injuries. The strongest of these storms was an F4 in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles on March 18. Activity greatly varied between the three months, with January being above average, February at record low levels and March around average. Aside from two notable outbreaks, tornado events were sporadic and scattered across the country. More than half of the 60 tornadoes in March occurred during a single outbreak from March 14 to 17.
1 death – First killer January tornado since 1978.[1] Along the tornado's path, 20 homes were destroyed and 40 structures were damaged. Seventeen people sustained injuries. Total damage from the tornado reached $2 million.[2] Location was the Newton, Mississippi area.
Five mobile homes and two gas station were destroyed near southeast of Clanton, Alabama near Lake Mitchell.[2] Originally believed to be two separate tornadoes, later analysis found that the tornado had an intermittent 15 miles (24 km) track through two counties.[2][3]
In Lily Hill, southeast of Clanton, Alabama, a house was blown away, injuring four occupants. The tornado tracked over the same area the previous one did, forcing rescuers to take shelter. A total of six people were injured by the tornado.[2]
Brief tornado touched down near Palmetto, Florida, damaging 12 mobile homes and a lumber yard. One home had its roof torn off and thrown 30 yards (27 m) away. Losses in the lumber yard were estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.[10]
Roughly 100 homes and 500 vehicles sustained damage in Kendall, Florida.[12][13] Four people were injured in the city.[11] Losses from the tornado were estimated over $500,000.[14]
First of two tornadoes that struck near Winters, Texas (north-northeast), this tornado moving toward Lawn, Texas. Five homes,[2] a swath of farmland and an oil derrick were destroyed along its path.[17]
Second tornado that passed near Winters, Texas, toward east of Lawn, Texas.[11] Several barns and farming equipment were destroyed in this area.[2] The community of Goldsboro sustained significant damage; one home was mostly destroyed in this area. The tornado also flattened an oil rig.[18] A 25 yd (23 m) section of asphalt was torn off Highway 382. Fourteen people were injured by the tornado.[11] Total losses reached $3 million.[2]
1 death – One person was killed and another injured when the tornado destroyed their trailer. Intensity is disputed to be F2 rather than F3 by Grazulis. In the Tyro, Kansas area.[2]
Long-lived 0.5 mi (800 m) wide tornado tracked through the northern Texas Panhandle into the Oklahoma Panhandle shortly before midnight (local time), starting near Sunray, Texas and ending near Beaver, Oklahoma.[11] At least 12 farms in Hansford County and four homes in Beaver County were destroyed. Twelve people were injured by the tornado and losses exceeded $1 million.[21]
Touched down west of Martin, South Dakota. A mobile home was picked up by the tornado and one of its occupants was thrown out of the building; however, he was unharmed. The other person in the home sustained minor injuries.[22]
Long-lived intermittent tornado made several touchdowns along a 28 miles (45 km) path through central Wisconsin, from southeast of Nekoosa, Wisconsin to Stevens Point, Wisconsin.[1][11] Numerous trees were felled by the tornado, one of which fell on a mobile home and destroyed it. The two occupants of the home sustained extensive injuries. Nearby, another mobile home was destroyed and a house was moved off its foundation. Due to the intermittent nature of the tornado, newspaper reports initially stated it to have been a series of tornadoes rather than a single one.[23]
1 death – Short-lived but damaging tornado touched down near Ina, Illinois. Five trailers and four homes were destroyed, one of which was blown off its foundation and thrown into another. Sixteen other homes and several trailers sustained damage. Three people were also injured and losses were estimated at $1 million.[21]
Tornado touched down due west of Angie, Louisiana and tracked eastward for 12 miles (19 km) before dissipating. No known damage took place during the tornado's existence.[11]
Brief tornado destroyed four homes and heavily damaged seven others in Mt. Vernon, Ohio.[21] Seven people were injured in the town. The tornado was roughly 660 yards (600 m) wide and struck less than three hours after a statewide tornado drill. According to residents, there was no warning issued before the tornado struck. In the wake of the tornado, 15 national guardsmen were deployed to patrol the area and prevent vandalism.[24]
Grazulis, Thomas P. (November 1990). Significant Tornadoes 1880–1989. Vol. 2. St. Johnsbury, Vermont: The Tornado Project of Environmental Films. ISBN1-879362-02-3.
