Preston County, West Virginia tornadoes

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12confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1964). Most recent: May 11, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Preston County

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The record

At a glance

Total121950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly4 of 12
StrongestF3Jun 3, 1980
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries25whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

July is the peak month, with 4 of 12 tornadoes.

By time of day

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

Most often around 1:00 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: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
5
EF1
4
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, June 3, 1980

29.8 mile path Longest path

29.8 miles, F3

June 3, 1980, whole path Widest

300 yards, F2

June 2, 1998
Every tornado

All 12 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 11, 2024EF11.24 mi200 yd00
May 9, 2024EF00.43 mi50 yd00
Jul 30, 2008EF07.87 mi150 yd00
May 31, 2008EF01.43 mi80 yd01
Jun 2, 1998F212 mi300 yd00
Jul 19, 1996F10.2 mi50 yd00
Jul 26, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 3, 1980F329.8 mi150 yd019
Jun 20, 1977F28.5 mi50 yd05
Jul 13, 1971F13 mi10 yd00
Aug 11, 1966F10.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 25, 1964F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
May 13, 20263 E ReedsvilleNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.