Dover, DE Tornado History — 41 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Dover, DE had?
Dover has had 41 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Dover?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Dover was an EF3 on April 1, 2023, causing 1 fatality.
When is tornado season in Dover?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Dover, with 16 on record. April through June account for 13 of the 41 tornadoes on record near Dover.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Dover
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 11 total, averaging 0.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Dover since December 29, 2025
These are 4 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Trained spotter reported a rain wrapped tornado on the ground... flying debris. (PHI)
A brief tornado occurred near Barclay... snapping and uprooting several softwood and hardwood trees in a wooded area next to a residence located near the intersection o (PHI)
An EF-1 tornado occurred south of Frederica. Tree damage started at the intersection of Carpenter Bridge Road and Fork Landing Road... where multiple trees were uproote (PHI)
NWS Storm Survey determined an EF-1 tornado occurred along Holly Road with estimated maximum wind speeds of 90 to 100 mph. A narrow path of damage began shortly beyond (PHI)
Within 25 miles of Dover. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Dover
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Dover since 1950, across 2 events. 56 injuries have been reported across all events. 1983 was the deadliest year on record near Dover.
The deadliest single event was an F2 on July 21, 1983, which caused 2 fatalities along a 1.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Dover
What the record shows near Dover
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Dover, with 12 of the 41 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Dover record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Dover, 30 reached EF0 or EF1 and 11 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Dover is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Dover has averaged 0.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 11 in total. 2020 was the busiest of them with 5, and 14 of those years passed with none at all.