Petersburg, VA Tornado History — 83 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Petersburg, VA had?
Petersburg has had 83 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Petersburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Petersburg was an EF0 on November 11, 2022.
When is tornado season in Petersburg?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Petersburg, with 13 on record. April through June account for 31 of the 83 tornadoes on record near Petersburg.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Petersburg
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 25 total, averaging 1.3 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Petersburg 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Storm survey conducted by NWS employee found tornado damage consistent with an EF-0 along VA-10 east of Spring Grove. Time is estimated based on radar. (AKQ)
Within 25 miles of Petersburg. 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 Petersburg
8 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Petersburg since 1950, across 3 events. 343 injuries have been reported across all events. 1993 was the deadliest year on record near Petersburg.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on August 6, 1993, which caused 4 fatalities along a 1.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Petersburg
What the record shows near Petersburg
The 2000s were the busiest decade near Petersburg, with 23 of the 83 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 1 so far. The Petersburg record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Petersburg, 65 reached EF0 or EF1 and 18 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Petersburg is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Petersburg has averaged 1.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 25 in total. 2018 was the busiest of them with 7, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.