Ridgewood, NJ Tornado History — 48 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Ridgewood, NJ had?
Ridgewood has had 48 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Ridgewood?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Ridgewood was an EF0 on August 19, 2021.
When is tornado season in Ridgewood?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Ridgewood, with 15 on record. April through June account for 5 of the 48 tornadoes on record near Ridgewood.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Ridgewood
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 15 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Ridgewood since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Trees & wires down around Lawridge Dr in Purchase. (OKX)
Updates previous tornado report from 1 N Troy Hills. A EF-1 tornado touched down behind the ridgeline on Windsor Drive in the Pine Brook section on Montville around 2:5 (PHI)
Within 25 miles of Ridgewood. 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 Ridgewood
11 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Ridgewood since 1950, across 3 events. 61 injuries have been reported across all events. 1989 was the deadliest year on record near Ridgewood.
The deadliest single event was an F1 on November 16, 1989, which caused 9 fatalities along a 9.1-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Ridgewood
What the record shows near Ridgewood
The 1970s were the busiest decade near Ridgewood, with 11 of the 48 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 2 so far. The Ridgewood record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Ridgewood, 42 reached EF0 or EF1 and 6 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Ridgewood is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Ridgewood has averaged 0.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 15 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 3, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.