Tompkins County, New York tornadoes

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9confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1961). Most recent: August 7, 2023, 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Tompkins County

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The record

At a glance

Total91950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthJune4 of 9
StrongestF1Aug 28, 1988
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

40 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 0Jun: 4Jul: 0Aug: 4Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 4 of 9 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 2: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 4: 0: 06 PM: 1: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

10 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 1: 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
3
EF1
6

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

Deadliest

F1, August 28, 1988

1 deaths, 1 injuries Strongest

F1, August 28, 1988

13 mile path Longest path

13 miles, F1

August 28, 1988, whole path Widest

880 yards, F1

August 28, 1988
Every tornado

All 9 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 7, 2023EF01.4 mi200 yd00
Jun 21, 2021EF12.8 mi85 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF12.06 mi150 yd00
Aug 21, 1994F01 mi100 yd00
Aug 28, 1988F113 mi880 yd11
Jun 18, 1977F10.8 mi10 yd00
Jun 20, 1969F12 mi10 yd00
Jun 15, 1964F16.9 mi100 yd00
Aug 25, 1961F00.1 mi10 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.