Lehigh County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: August 7, 2023, EF1. 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 Lehigh County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly7 of 16
StrongestF2Jul 5, 1950
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 1May: 3Jun: 0Jul: 7Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 7 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 0: 4: 53 PM: 0: 1: 36 PM: 2: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 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

20 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 2: 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
4
EF1
9
EF2
3

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

F2, July 5, 1950

12.9 mile path Longest path

12.9 miles, F2

July 5, 1950, whole path Widest

300 yards, F2

July 5, 1984
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 7, 2023EF10.3 mi160 yd00
Jul 29, 2021EF11.15 mi75 yd00
Jul 29, 2021EF12.9 mi90 yd00
May 29, 2019EF02.3 mi50 yd00
Jul 22, 2018EF00.81 mi20 yd00
Jul 14, 2010EF02.17 mi150 yd00
Sep 6, 2008EF10.56 mi30 yd00
May 29, 1995F10.5 mi50 yd00
Jul 5, 1984F25 mi300 yd00
Jul 5, 1984F28 mi300 yd00
Aug 11, 1983F111 mi150 yd02
Apr 3, 1982F10.2 mi17 yd00
Mar 21, 1976F14.6 mi50 yd00
May 28, 1973F11.9 mi100 yd00
Aug 7, 1957F00.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 5, 1950F212.9 mi10 yd02
Cities

Cities in Lehigh County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

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.