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Portsmouth Heights, VA Tornado History — 94 Tornadoes Since 1950

Virginia · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Portsmouth Heights, VA had?

Portsmouth Heights has had 94 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Portsmouth Heights?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Portsmouth Heights was an EF0 on June 16, 2023.

When is tornado season in Portsmouth Heights?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Portsmouth Heights, with 20 on record. April through June account for 29 of the 94 tornadoes on record near Portsmouth Heights.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
94
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
4.3% of total
Peak Month
August
20 on record
Per Year Avg
1.2
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Portsmouth Heights

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 29 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 2
2022 0
2021 4
2020 4
2019 4
2018 0
2017 3
2016 0
2015 0
2014 6
2013 0
2012 1
2011 2
2010 0
2009 2
2008 1
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 5
1960s 9
1970s 11
1980s 7
1990s 16
2000s 20
2010s 16
2020s 10

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.

EF0 45
EF1 36
EF2 9
EF3 4

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 3
Feb 3
Mar 6
Apr 15
May 5
Jun 9
Jul 15
Aug 20
Sep 6
Oct 7
Nov 4
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Portsmouth Heights

2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Portsmouth Heights since 1950, across 2 events. 256 injuries have been reported across all events. 1981 was the deadliest year on record near Portsmouth Heights.

The deadliest single event was an F2 on March 30, 1981, which caused 1 fatality along a 21.9-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Portsmouth Heights

Deadliest Tornado
F2 on March 30, 1981 — 1 fatality, 21.9 mi path, 83 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF3 on April 28, 2008 — $30.2M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF1 on June 1, 2012 — 500 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF3 on April 28, 2008 — 24.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on June 16, 2023.

What the record shows near Portsmouth Heights

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Portsmouth Heights, with 20 of the 94 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 10 so far. The Portsmouth Heights record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Portsmouth Heights, 81 reached EF0 or EF1 and 13 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Portsmouth Heights is rated EF3, of which 4 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Portsmouth Heights has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 29 in total. 2014 was the busiest of them with 6, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Portsmouth Heights, VA had?
Since 1950, 94 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Portsmouth Heights. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Portsmouth Heights?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Portsmouth Heights was an F2 on March 30, 1981, which caused 1 fatality.
When is tornado season in Portsmouth Heights?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Portsmouth Heights, with 20 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Portsmouth Heights?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Portsmouth Heights was an EF0 on June 16, 2023.
How do I get tornado warnings for Portsmouth Heights?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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