Frederick County, Maryland tornadoes

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38confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: May 3, 2021, EF0. 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.

The record

At a glance

Total381950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 38
StrongestF3May 22, 1983
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 1Apr: 6May: 9Jun: 6Jul: 5Aug: 3Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 38 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 312 PM: 4: 2: 63 PM: 4: 4: 76 PM: 4: 0: 09 PM: 0: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 0: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 1: 0: 5: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22010: 1: 4: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 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
11
EF1
23
EF2
3
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, May 22, 1983

2 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F2

August 28, 1978, whole path Widest

600 yards, F1

July 19, 1963
Every tornado

All 38 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 3, 2021EF00.64 mi150 yd00
May 3, 2021EF00.78 mi200 yd00
Feb 7, 2020EF16.74 mi150 yd00
May 30, 2019EF06.5 mi75 yd00
Jun 20, 2015EF01.47 mi75 yd00
May 17, 2011EF01.1 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF13.5 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF14.36 mi50 yd00
Apr 16, 2011EF11.17 mi50 yd00
Aug 12, 2010EF00.24 mi440 yd00
Jul 31, 2009EF12.6 mi350 yd00
Jul 31, 2009EF12.6 mi125 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F23 mi200 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F17 mi100 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F14 mi150 yd00
Jun 14, 2004F14.2 mi150 yd00
May 25, 2004F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 2002F02 mi50 yd00
Aug 14, 1999F13 mi50 yd00
Jun 16, 1998F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 1996F16.2 mi200 yd00
Jun 4, 1996F11 mi65 yd00
Oct 20, 1995F11.2 mi50 yd00
Oct 20, 1995F00.6 mi73 yd00
May 13, 1990F10.5 mi33 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 12, 2026.