Scotch Plains, NJ Tornado History — 59 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Scotch Plains, NJ had?
Scotch Plains has had 59 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Scotch Plains?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Scotch Plains was an EF1 on June 26, 2023.
When is tornado season in Scotch Plains?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Scotch Plains, with 16 on record. April through June account for 15 of the 59 tornadoes on record near Scotch Plains.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Scotch Plains
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Scotch Plains 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
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)
On the afternoon of July 21st... an EF-1 tornado occurred in the Lower Berkshire Valley section of Roxbury Township... in Morris County... New Jersey. The tornado began (PHI)
Within 25 miles of Scotch Plains. 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
Have any tornadoes near Scotch Plains been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Scotch Plains from any of the 59 tornadoes since 1950, though 46 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Scotch Plains
What the record shows near Scotch Plains
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Scotch Plains, with 16 of the 59 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 4 so far. The Scotch Plains record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Scotch Plains, 52 reached EF0 or EF1 and 7 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Scotch Plains is rated EF3, of which 4 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Scotch Plains has averaged 0.7 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 13 in total. 2019 was the busiest of them with 3, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.