Adams County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: August 18, 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.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Adams County

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The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthAugust6 of 17
StrongestF3Jun 7, 1980
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

August is the peak month, with 6 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 1: 1: 23 PM: 2: 1: 36 PM: 1: 1: 09 PM: 0: 3: 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

30 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 22000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 1: 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
2
EF1
10
EF2
4
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, June 7, 1980

1.5 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F2

August 28, 1978, whole path Widest

800 yards, F2

June 7, 1980
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 18, 2021EF00.62 mi75 yd00
Aug 30, 2005F13 mi50 yd00
Aug 30, 2005F17 mi300 yd00
Aug 30, 2005F13 mi200 yd00
Aug 20, 1999F10.2 mi40 yd00
Mar 3, 1999F05 mi100 yd00
Apr 1, 1998F11.5 mi100 yd00
Sep 6, 1996F10.8 mi70 yd00
Jul 19, 1996F11 mi150 yd00
Jun 24, 1996F15 mi50 yd00
Jun 7, 1980F25.6 mi800 yd00
Jun 7, 1980F31.5 mi400 yd00
Aug 28, 1978F220 mi20 yd00
Mar 21, 1976F21 mi50 yd00
Sep 16, 1971F10.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 25, 1954F213.3 mi500 yd00
Mar 30, 1951F10.1 mi20 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.