Petworth, DC Tornado History — 117 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Petworth, DC had?
Petworth has had 117 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Petworth?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Petworth was an EF0 on June 18, 2025.
When is tornado season in Petworth?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Petworth, with 20 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Petworth
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 52 total, averaging 2.6 per year over this window.
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 Petworth
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Petworth since 1950, across 2 events. 121 injuries have been reported across all events. 2001 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on September 24, 2001, which caused 2 fatalities along a 17.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Petworth
About Tornadoes in Petworth
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.
Petworth occupies the rolling high ground of Northwest Washington, D.C., its rowhouse blocks radiating out from Grant Circle along Georgia Avenue. Tornadoes in the greater Washington area around the neighborhood have come mostly in the warm months, from spring through early autumn, when humid air and strong thunderstorm complexes move across the Mid-Atlantic.
The region has felt powerful storms. An F3 tornado struck on April 1, 1973, injuring 37 people along a 9.8-mile path and causing $27,500,000 in property damage. On September 5, 1979, an F3 tracked 17.9 miles, killing one person and injuring six. And on September 24, 2001, an F3 carved a 17.5-mile path as much as 200 yards wide, killing two people and injuring 55.
The Enhanced Fujita era has brought serious weather of its own. An EF2 on September 1, 2021, cut an 11.43-mile path roughly 200 yards wide, and an EF1 on June 5, 2024, injured five people along a 15.16-mile track that caused $5,000,000 in damage. As recently as June 18, 2025, an EF0 touched down in the area — a reminder that the District's dense urban core sits squarely within the Mid-Atlantic's tornado climate.