Philadelphia, PA Tornado History — 84 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Philadelphia, PA had?
Philadelphia has had 84 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Philadelphia?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Philadelphia was an EF1 on May 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Philadelphia?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Philadelphia, with 20 on record. April through June account for 22 of the 84 tornadoes on record near Philadelphia.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Philadelphia
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 25 total, averaging 1.3 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Philadelphia
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Philadelphia and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 16, 2025 and the most recent on May 16, 2025. It is already counted in the Philadelphia totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Delayed Report...Updated starting location and track and increased intensity of Collings Lakes tornado. The EF-1 tornado originated in Williamstown near the intersectio (PHI)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
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 Philadelphia
3 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Philadelphia since 1950, across 3 events. 81 injuries have been reported across all events. 2021 was the deadliest year on record near Philadelphia.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on March 22, 1955, which caused 1 fatality along a 9.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Philadelphia
What the record shows near Philadelphia
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Philadelphia, with 17 of the 84 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 17 so far. The Philadelphia record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Philadelphia, 67 reached EF0 or EF1 and 17 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Philadelphia is rated EF3, of which 3 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Philadelphia has averaged 1.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 25 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 8, and 11 of those years passed with none at all.