Fairfax County, Virginia tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Fairfax County...

22confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: March 31, 2022, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Fairfax County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total221950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthApril4 of 22
StrongestF3Sep 5, 1979
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries47whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

April is the peak month, with 4 of 22 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 312 PM: 1: 1: 33 PM: 2: 0: 46 PM: 3: 0: 09 PM: 2: 1: 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: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11980: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 12020: 0: 0: 2: 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
12
EF1
4
EF2
4
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, September 5, 1979

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F3, September 5, 1979

17.9 mile path Longest path

20 miles, F2

June 24, 1996, whole path Widest

300 yards, F3

September 5, 1979
Every tornado

All 22 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 31, 2022EF00.13 mi50 yd00
Mar 31, 2022EF00.05 mi30 yd00
Apr 19, 2019EF04.12 mi100 yd00
Jul 24, 2018EF00.21 mi100 yd00
Apr 6, 2017EF03.2 mi25 yd00
Oct 15, 2014EF02.32 mi75 yd00
Oct 13, 2011EF02.9 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 2011EF01.12 mi75 yd00
Mar 10, 2011EF04.9 mi75 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F215 mi200 yd01
Sep 24, 2001F114 mi100 yd02
Jun 24, 1996F220 mi200 yd01
Sep 27, 1993F00.2 mi13 yd00
Aug 4, 1992F12 mi73 yd00
Oct 18, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 12, 1987F11.5 mi23 yd00
Oct 13, 1983F01 mi17 yd00
Jul 28, 1981F20.1 mi27 yd00
Sep 5, 1979F317.9 mi300 yd16
Apr 1, 1973F39.8 mi100 yd037
Aug 9, 1969F20.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 31, 1952F12 mi100 yd00
Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Fairfax County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.