Downtown DC, DC Tornado History — 115 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Downtown DC, DC had?
Downtown DC has had 115 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Downtown DC?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Downtown DC was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
When is tornado season in Downtown DC?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Downtown DC, with 18 on record. April through June account for 50 of the 115 tornadoes on record near Downtown DC.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Downtown DC
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 48 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Downtown DC
2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Downtown DC 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 Downtown DC 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 Downtown DC
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Downtown DC since 1950, across 3 events. 243 injuries have been reported across all events. 2002 was the deadliest year on record near Downtown DC.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on April 28, 2002, which caused 3 fatalities along a 38.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Downtown DC
What the record shows near Downtown DC
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Downtown DC, with 30 of the 115 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 15 so far. The Downtown DC record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Downtown DC, 100 reached EF0 or EF1 and 14 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Downtown DC is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Downtown DC is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Downtown DC has averaged 2.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 48 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 8, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.