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Foggy Bottom, DC Tornado History — 112 Tornadoes Since 1950

District of Columbia · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Foggy Bottom, DC had?

Foggy Bottom has had 112 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Foggy Bottom?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.

When is tornado season in Foggy Bottom?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Foggy Bottom, with 18 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
112
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
3.6% of total
Peak Month
June
18 on record
Per Year Avg
1.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Foggy Bottom

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 48 total, averaging 2.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 2
2023 1
2022 5
2021 3
2020 1
2019 3
2018 1
2017 5
2016 0
2015 1
2014 2
2013 3
2012 6
2011 8
2010 1
2009 0
2008 5
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 3
1970s 8
1980s 4
1990s 29
2000s 22
2010s 30
2020s 13

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.

EF0 55
EF1 44
EF2 8
EF3 3
EF4 1
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 2
Mar 3
Apr 17
May 15
Jun 18
Jul 17
Aug 12
Sep 14
Oct 10
Nov 3
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Foggy Bottom

6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom since 1950, across 3 events. 243 injuries have been reported across all events. 2002 was the deadliest year on record.

The deadliest single event was a F4 on April 28, 2002, which caused 3 fatalities along a 38.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Foggy Bottom

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on April 28, 2002 — 3 fatalities, 38.0 mi path, 650 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F3 on April 1, 1973 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F4 on April 28, 2002 — 650 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on April 28, 2002 — 38.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on June 18, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Foggy Bottom

This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.

Foggy Bottom sits on low ground along the Potomac River at the western edge of downtown Washington, D.C., and the tornadoes documented near the neighborhood have mostly been warm-season storms, their dates clustering from April through September, when humid Atlantic air fuels severe thunderstorms across the capital region.

The area has been brushed by genuinely violent tornadoes. An F4 struck on April 28, 2002, claiming three lives and injuring 122 along a 38-mile path as much as 650 yards wide. Just months earlier, on September 24, 2001, an F3 tracked 17.5 miles at up to 200 yards wide, killing two people and injuring 55.

Earlier decades brought comparable episodes. On April 1, 1973, an F3 injured 37 people along a 9.8-mile track and caused $27,500,000 in property damage; on September 5, 1979, another F3 carved a 17.9-mile path up to 300 yards wide, killing one person and injuring six.

Tornadoes remain a live concern for the neighborhood. An EF1 on June 5, 2024 traveled 15.16 miles, injuring five and causing $5,000,000 in damage, and an EF0 touched down as recently as June 18, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Foggy Bottom, DC had?
Since 1950, 112 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Foggy Bottom?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom was a F4 on April 28, 2002, which caused 3 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Foggy Bottom?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Foggy Bottom, with 18 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Foggy Bottom been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Foggy Bottom?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Foggy Bottom was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Foggy Bottom?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

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