State history
Tornadoes in Virginia
Virginia averages 19 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 19 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: April-June + hurricanes.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1959 Ivor F4 — 12 dead.
- 2004 outbreak events — multiple.
- 2011 April 16 outbreak — multiple VA events.
- 2018 outbreak events — multiple.
- 2024 outbreaks — continued.
Major cities
Virginia Beach
460k. Coastal.
Norfolk
235k. Coastal.
Chesapeake
250k.
Richmond
230k. Capital.
Newport News
180k.
Alexandria
160k. DC metro.
Charlottesville
50k. Central VA.
NWS coverage
NWS Wakefield
Coastal VA.
NWS Blacksburg
Western VA.
NWS Baltimore-Washington DC
Northern VA.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.