Chester County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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31confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1953). Most recent: June 16, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Chester County

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The record

At a glance

Total311950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly6 of 31
StrongestF3Mar 22, 1955
Deaths3whole paths, see note
Injuries32whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 3May: 1Jun: 5Jul: 6Aug: 6Sep: 4Oct: 0Nov: 5Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 6 of 31 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 1: 19 AM: 1: 0: 212 PM: 2: 5: 53 PM: 4: 1: 46 PM: 0: 0: 29 PM: 1: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11990: 1: 0: 2: 1: 5: 0: 1: 1: 3: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
6
EF1
17
EF2
6
EF3
2

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

F3, March 22, 1955

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, March 22, 1955

9.6 mile path Longest path

9.6 miles, F3

March 22, 1955, whole path Widest

600 yards, F3

March 22, 1955
Every tornado

All 31 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 16, 2023EF11.8 mi250 yd00
Sep 1, 2021EF25.92 mi350 yd00
Jun 30, 2015EF10.68 mi100 yd00
Sep 27, 2010EF01.38 mi100 yd00
Aug 29, 2006F12 mi150 yd00
Nov 26, 1999F11.8 mi100 yd012
Jun 1, 1998F16 mi100 yd00
May 31, 1998F13 mi100 yd00
Apr 1, 1998F10.5 mi100 yd01
Nov 2, 1997F00.1 mi50 yd00
Sep 8, 1996F00.5 mi50 yd00
Aug 13, 1994F10.3 mi100 yd00
Aug 13, 1994F00.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 27, 1994F13.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 27, 1994F34 mi100 yd011
Apr 13, 1994F10.1 mi17 yd00
Jun 9, 1993F11.5 mi50 yd10
Aug 28, 1992F22 mi100 yd03
Jul 17, 1992F24 mi100 yd00
Jul 9, 1990F15 mi50 yd00
Nov 16, 1989F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 1988F12.5 mi100 yd01
Jul 16, 1980F10.7 mi50 yd00
Sep 5, 1979F24.1 mi63 yd14
Apr 3, 1975F23 mi20 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Aug 20, 2026East Caln TwpNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.