Columbia Heights, DC Tornado History — 115 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Columbia Heights, DC had?
Columbia Heights has had 115 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Columbia Heights?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Columbia Heights was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
When is tornado season in Columbia Heights?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Columbia Heights, with 20 on record. April through June account for 51 of the 115 tornadoes on record near Columbia Heights.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Columbia Heights
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 51 total, averaging 2.5 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Columbia Heights
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Columbia Heights and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 18, 2025 and the most recent on June 19, 2025. They are already counted in the Columbia Heights totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.
NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Odenton... MD at approximately 440 pm... with peak winds estimated at 80mph. Path length was 0.1 mile (LWX)
Corrected for time/date. NWS Storm Survey confirmed an EF-0 tornado briefly touched down in Odenton... MD at approximately 215 pm... with peak winds estimated at 80mph. (LWX)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Columbia Heights
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Columbia Heights since 1950, across 2 events. 121 injuries have been reported across all events. 2001 was the deadliest year on record near Columbia Heights.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which caused 2 fatalities along a 17.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Columbia Heights
What the record shows near Columbia Heights
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Columbia Heights, with 30 of the 115 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 16 so far. The Columbia Heights record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Columbia Heights, 101 reached EF0 or EF1 and 13 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Columbia Heights is rated EF3, of which 3 are logged. A further 1 near Columbia Heights is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Columbia Heights has averaged 2.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 51 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 8, and 3 of those years passed with none at all.