Orange County, Virginia tornadoes

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14 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1965). Most recent: May 5, 2017, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthSeptember5 of 14
StrongestF3Oct 18, 1990
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries2whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 1Jun: 1Jul: 3Aug: 1Sep: 5Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

September is the peak month, with 5 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 2: 112 PM: 1: 1: 13 PM: 5: 1: 06 PM: 0: 1: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 12000: 0: 1: 1: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 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
4
EF1
7
EF2
2
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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, October 18, 1990

3.5 mile path Longest path

18 miles, F1

July 24, 1999, whole path Widest

175 yards, EF0

April 6, 2017

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 5, 2017EF10.87 mi100 yd00
Apr 6, 2017EF02.63 mi175 yd00
Oct 13, 2011EF01.35 mi50 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F27 mi100 yd00
Sep 17, 2004F13 mi100 yd00
Sep 8, 2004F00.3 mi50 yd00
Jun 6, 2002F11 mi100 yd00
Sep 24, 2001F10.2 mi25 yd00
Jul 24, 1999F118 min/a00
Sep 10, 1997F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 21, 1995F10.5 mi50 yd00
Oct 18, 1990F33.5 mi33 yd01
Jul 19, 1977F10.2 mi17 yd01
Aug 17, 1965F20.1 mi10 yd00

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.