Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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11confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: July 29, 2021, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Philadelphia covers almost all of Philadelphia County, so this page is also Philadelphia's tornado record.

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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 Philadelphia County

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The record

At a glance

Total111950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthJuly4 of 11
StrongestEF3Jul 29, 2021
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries40whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

40 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 2Jul: 4Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 4 of 11 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 2: 03 PM: 2: 1: 36 PM: 0: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 112 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 2: 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
3
EF1
3
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

EF3, July 29, 2021

3.4 mile path Longest path

20.77 miles, EF2

August 4, 2020, whole path Widest

530 yards, EF3

July 29, 2021
Every tornado

All 11 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 29, 2021EF00.44 mi40 yd00
Jul 29, 2021EF33.4 mi530 yd00
Aug 4, 2020EF220.77 mi500 yd018
May 18, 2011EF00.12 mi33 yd02
Jan 18, 1999F00.2 mi20 yd018
May 31, 1998F25.6 mi200 yd00
Aug 3, 1991F15 mi100 yd00
Jun 9, 1989F22 mi50 yd01
Jul 31, 1985F11.5 mi20 yd01
Jun 7, 1978F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 14, 1958F29.8 mi27 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.