Morgantown, WV Tornado History — 39 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Morgantown, WV had?
Morgantown has had 39 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Morgantown?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Morgantown was an EF1 on March 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Morgantown?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Morgantown, with 14 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Morgantown
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 16 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Morgantown 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Within 25 miles of Morgantown. 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 Morgantown
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Morgantown since 1950, across 1 event. 32 injuries have been reported across all events. 1982 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F1 on June 16, 1982, which caused 1 fatality along a 2.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Morgantown
About Tornadoes in Morgantown
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Morgantown, West Virginia has experienced 39 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. The majority of these events have been relatively weak, with 12 rated EF0 and 19 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Seven tornadoes reached EF2 strength, while only one attained EF3 status.
Tornado activity in the area has varied considerably by decade. The 1960s and 1980s each recorded seven tornadoes, while the 2010s saw eight events. The current decade has already produced six tornadoes through early 2025, with the most recent occurring on March 16, 2025—an EF1 tornado with a 1.6-mile path length and maximum width of 75 yards that caused no injuries or property damage. The 1950s recorded just one tornado, and the 2000s saw only two events.
June stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Morgantown, accounting for 14 of the 39 recorded events. This aligns with broader national patterns, as late spring and early summer typically feature the atmospheric conditions most conducive to tornadic thunderstorms, including strong wind shear and instability. The deadliest tornado on record was an F1 that struck on June 16, 1982, claiming one life and causing $275,000 in property damage along a 2.5-mile path.
The most significant tornado by intensity was an F3 that occurred on June 3, 1980, carving a 29.8-mile path—the longest track length recorded in the area. Despite its strength and extent, this tornado caused no fatalities, though it resulted in $2.75 million in property damage. The costliest event was an F2 tornado on October 1, 1986, which also caused $2.75 million in damage across a 4.5-mile path. The widest tornado reached 440 yards across during an EF1 event on February 15, 2018.