Lancaster County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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39confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: September 4, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 4 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 Lancaster County

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The record

At a glance

Total391950 to 2025
Per year0.5average since 1950
Peak monthMay11 of 39
StrongestF3Nov 4, 1950
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries41whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

110 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 1May: 11Jun: 6Jul: 5Aug: 4Sep: 4Oct: 2Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 11 of 39 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 0: 1: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 2: 4: 63 PM: 6: 4: 46 PM: 5: 2: 09 PM: 0: 2: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 11980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 2: 1: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 22020: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

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: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
16
EF2
13
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, November 4, 1950

15.9 mile path Longest path

22.2 miles, F2

July 29, 1961, whole path Widest

1,760 yards, F2

July 2, 1970
Every tornado

All 39 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 4, 2025EF00.15 mi30 yd00
May 4, 2025EF00.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 7, 2023EF00.51 mi40 yd00
May 27, 2022EF13.05 mi130 yd03
May 28, 2019EF23.08 mi400 yd00
May 19, 2019EF10.84 mi125 yd00
Feb 24, 2016EF24.87 mi400 yd00
Sep 29, 2015EF12.53 mi75 yd00
Oct 19, 2012EF116.56 mi200 yd015
Sep 27, 2010EF01.84 mi30 yd01
Mar 29, 2009EF11.25 mi200 yd03
Aug 4, 2004F02 mi100 yd00
Jul 27, 2004F14 mi100 yd00
Jun 17, 2004F11 mi150 yd00
Jun 22, 2001F00.2 mi50 yd00
Jun 18, 2000F00.2 mi10 yd00
May 10, 2000F06 mi30 yd00
May 31, 1998F27 mi880 yd00
May 29, 1995F22.5 mi100 yd01
May 29, 1995F11 mi20 yd00
May 6, 1991F21 mi100 yd03
May 13, 1990F04 mi73 yd00
Jun 15, 1989F216 mi100 yd06
Aug 30, 1985F12 mi33 yd00
Jul 31, 1985F23 mi20 yd02
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Sep 1, 20264 NE GapNot yet rated
Aug 20, 20262 ESE MountvilleNot yet rated
Aug 20, 2026SW ColumbiaNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20265 SSE QuarryvilleNot 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.