Potomac, MD Tornado History — 119 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Potomac, MD had?
Potomac has had 119 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Potomac?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Potomac was an EF0 on June 5, 2024.
When is tornado season in Potomac?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Potomac, with 27 on record. April through June account for 54 of the 119 tornadoes on record near Potomac.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Potomac
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 57 total, averaging 2.9 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Potomac since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
National Weather Service Storm Survey confirms a brief EF-1 tornado occurred in Cooksville... MD from approximately 7:06PM to 7:07PM. Maximum wind is estimated at 90 mp (LWX)
Within 25 miles of Potomac. 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 Potomac
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Potomac since 1950, across 2 events. 121 injuries have been reported across all events. 2001 was the deadliest year on record near Potomac.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which caused 2 fatalities along a 17.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Potomac
What the record shows near Potomac
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Potomac, with 34 of the 119 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 15 so far. The Potomac record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Potomac, 103 reached EF0 or EF1 and 16 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Potomac is rated EF3, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Potomac has averaged 2.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 57 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 8, and 4 of those years passed with none at all.