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Williamsburg, VA Tornado History — 72 Tornadoes Since 1950

Virginia · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Williamsburg, VA had?

Williamsburg has had 72 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Williamsburg?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Williamsburg was an EF0 on March 5, 2025.

When is tornado season in Williamsburg?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Williamsburg, with 21 on record. April through June account for 24 of the 72 tornadoes on record near Williamsburg.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
72
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
5.6% of total
Peak Month
August
21 on record
Per Year Avg
0.9
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Williamsburg

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 27 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.

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

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near Williamsburg 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary EF0° September 12, 2026
1 ESE Spring Grove, Surry County, VA
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 Williamsburg. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

What storm spotters reported near Williamsburg

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Williamsburg and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on June 8, 2025 and the most recent on June 8, 2025. It is already counted in the Williamsburg totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

June 8, 2025
1 S Five Forks, James City County, VA
Powerline reported downed at Jamestown Road at Sandy Bay Road. Time Radar estimated. (AKQ)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 4
1960s 2
1970s 6
1980s 4
1990s 16
2000s 19
2010s 16
2020s 5

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 33
EF1 32
EF2 3
EF3 4

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 2
Feb 3
Mar 4
Apr 16
May 6
Jun 2
Jul 8
Aug 21
Sep 1
Oct 7
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Williamsburg

5 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Williamsburg since 1950, across 2 events. 41 injuries have been reported across all events. 2016 was the deadliest year on record near Williamsburg.

The deadliest single event was an EF1 on February 24, 2016, which caused 3 fatalities along a 8.9-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Williamsburg

Deadliest Tornado
EF1 on February 24, 2016 — 3 fatalities, 8.9 mi path, 300 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF3 on April 16, 2011 — $8.0M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on May 8, 1984 — 1,000 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on April 19, 1978 — 35.6 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on March 5, 2025.

What the record shows near Williamsburg

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Williamsburg, with 19 of the 72 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 5 so far. The Williamsburg record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Williamsburg, 65 reached EF0 or EF1 and 7 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Williamsburg is rated EF3, of which 4 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Williamsburg has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 27 in total. 2019 was the busiest of them with 6, and 6 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Williamsburg, VA had?
Since 1950, 72 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Williamsburg. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Williamsburg?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Williamsburg was an EF1 on February 24, 2016, which caused 3 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Williamsburg?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Williamsburg, with 21 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 Williamsburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Williamsburg was an EF0 on March 5, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Williamsburg?
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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