Lancaster County, Virginia tornadoes

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10confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1975). Most recent: July 5, 2022, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in Lancaster County

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total101950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthAugust3 of 10
StrongestEF2Aug 4, 2020
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries5whole 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

30 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 2Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 3 of 10 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 1: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 012 PM: 2: 1: 13 PM: 0: 0: 16 PM: 0: 2: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 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: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 1: 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
4
EF1
5
EF2
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

EF2, August 4, 2020

15.61 mile path Longest path

15.61 miles, EF2

August 4, 2020, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF2

August 4, 2020
Every tornado

All 10 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 5, 2022EF011.49 mi75 yd00
Aug 4, 2020EF215.61 mi500 yd05
Aug 7, 2017EF02.09 mi50 yd00
Apr 6, 2017EF13.71 mi200 yd00
Feb 24, 2016EF16.06 mi150 yd00
Jun 18, 2015EF03.82 mi50 yd00
May 25, 2004F10.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 6, 1993F01 mi100 yd00
May 10, 1990F14.1 mi200 yd00
Sep 6, 1975F12.3 mi150 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 12, 2026.