New Castle County, Delaware tornadoes

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28confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: August 8, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in New Castle County

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The record

At a glance

Total281950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly7 of 28
StrongestF3Apr 28, 1961
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries38whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond New Castle County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 1May: 1Jun: 4Jul: 7Aug: 6Sep: 4Oct: 3Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 7 of 28 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 2: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 3: 2: 43 PM: 3: 5: 46 PM: 0: 2: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 21980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 21990: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 2: 0: 0: 1: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
12
EF2
7
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, April 28, 1961

0.3 mile path Longest path

35.78 miles, EF2

August 4, 2020, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF2

August 4, 2020
Every tornado

All 28 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 8, 2024EF11.13 mi150 yd00
Jul 9, 2023EF11.19 mi200 yd00
Aug 7, 2020EF14.17 mi450 yd00
Aug 4, 2020EF235.78 mi500 yd00
Jul 9, 2015EF00.52 mi75 yd00
Jun 10, 2013EF00.87 mi150 yd00
Sep 28, 2004F25 mi150 yd00
May 25, 1995F00.2 mi17 yd00
Sep 27, 1993F17 mi50 yd00
Sep 27, 1993F210 mi100 yd00
Oct 18, 1990F21 mi430 yd00
Nov 16, 1989F11 mi17 yd01
Jun 9, 1989F22 mi100 yd01
Jul 21, 1988F00.2 mi20 yd00
Jun 7, 1988F123 mi100 yd030
Sep 5, 1979F22.5 mi200 yd05
Aug 10, 1979F12 mi100 yd00
Aug 10, 1977F11 mi27 yd00
Mar 21, 1976F10.1 mi10 yd01
Jul 14, 1975F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 28, 1973F00.1 mi10 yd00
Oct 18, 1967F10.3 mi17 yd00
Oct 18, 1967F10.3 mi17 yd00
Aug 27, 1967F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 21, 1962F11.2 mi100 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.