West Virginia experiences relatively infrequent severe weather compared to the central United States, with 187 confirmed tornadoes, 2,997 hailstorm events and 7,356 damaging-wind events recorded by the National Weather Service since 1950. The state ranks among the lowest in the country for tornado frequency, and averages 2.5 tornadoes per year over the 75-year record. The interactive map below plots every significant severe-weather event in West Virginia from the official NOAA Storm Events Database (1950 through September 2025).
Use the map to find your county, click any marker for the date, magnitude, and casualty details of that event, and switch between tornadoes, hail and wind using the chips. For the national view across all 50 states, see our NOAA Storm Reports interactive map. For tornado tracks specifically, see the US Tornado Tracks map; for hail size and frequency, the US Hailstorms map.
West Virginia Severe Weather by the Numbers (1950–2025)
- 187 tornadoes recorded between 1950 and 2025
- 37 violent tornadoes rated F2/EF2 or stronger
- 3 direct tornado deaths and 122 direct injuries
- 2,997 hailstorm events recorded by the NWS
- 7,356 damaging-wind events on record
- 2.5 tornadoes per year on average across the 75-year record
- June is the peak severe-weather month, accounting for roughly 28.3% of West Virginia tornadoes
- 120 total direct deaths from all severe-weather event types tracked by the NWS
When West Virginia Severe Weather Happens
West Virginia tornado activity is heavily concentrated in spring. March, April, May and June account for 58% of all West Virginia tornadoes, with June alone responsible for roughly 28.3%.
- June: 53 tornadoes (28.3%) — peak month
- July: 37 tornadoes (19.8%)
- April: 32 tornadoes (17.1%)
- August: 19 tornadoes (10.2%)
- May: 15 tornadoes (8%)
- September: 9 tornadoes (4.8%)
Top 10 West Virginia Counties by Tornado Frequency
Tornado activity in West Virginia is geographically broad, but a handful of counties have logged many times the state average. The combination of population density (more spotters and damage reports), county land area and local climatology drives the rankings below.
| County | Tornadoes since 1950 |
|---|---|
| Kanawha | 15 |
| Berkeley | 14 |
| Preston | 12 |
| Wood | 10 |
| Monongalia | 8 |
| Putnam | 8 |
| Greenbrier | 7 |
| Jefferson | 7 |
| Marion | 7 |
| Raleigh | 7 |
West Virginia Tornado Strength Distribution
Most West Virginia tornadoes are weak: roughly 80% are rated F0/EF0 or F1/EF1. Violent tornadoes (F2+/EF2+) account for around 20.3% of rated tornadoes in the state.
- F0/EF0 (weak): 57 tornadoes — 31.3% of rated events
- F1/EF1: 88 tornadoes — 48.4% of rated events
- F2/EF2 (strong): 27 tornadoes — 14.8% of rated events
- F3/EF3: 10 tornadoes — 5.5% of rated events
Record-Setting Severe Weather in West Virginia
Largest hailstone: 4.50 inches in diameter, observed in McDowell County on July 9, 1980. The three largest hailstones on record in West Virginia measured 4.50″, 4.50″, 4.25″.
Highest measured wind gust: 89 knots (102 mph) recorded in Hampshire County near Kirby on July 12, 2022. Most damaging-wind events in West Virginia are estimated rather than measured because anemometers are sparse across the rural areas where supercells most often produce destructive thunderstorm winds.
How West Virginia Compares Nationally
West Virginia ranks among the lowest in the country for tornado frequency, with severe-weather activity well below the central-US average.
- Tornadoes (top 5): Texas (9,908), Kansas (4,890), Oklahoma (4,856), Florida (3,779), Iowa (3,417).
- West Virginia tornado total: 187 — ranked 38th nationally.
- West Virginia hail total: 2,997 hail events on record since 1950.
- West Virginia wind total: 7,356 damaging-wind events on record since 1950.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tornadoes does West Virginia have on average per year?
West Virginia averages 2.5 tornadoes per year over the 1950–2025 period. Counts vary widely year to year, but the long-term mean over 75 years of NWS records is a reliable benchmark for typical activity.
Where in West Virginia are tornadoes most common?
The single county with the most tornadoes on record is Kanawha County with 15 events. The three most active counties overall are Kanawha, Berkeley, Preston.
How does West Virginia compare to its neighbors?
West Virginia shares a severe-weather climate with Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky. Severe storms regularly cross state lines, so the same supercells, hail cores and wind events often appear in West Virginia’s neighbors’ records on the same date.
How recent is the data on this map?
The map and statistics on this page are pulled from NOAA’s official Storm Events Database, which currently runs from January 1950 through September 2025. New records typically appear in the database within 30–90 days of the event date, once damage surveys and ratings are complete.
Compare West Virginia to Neighboring States
Severe weather doesn’t stop at state lines. The same supercell systems that produce West Virginia tornadoes regularly cross into neighboring states. Compare West Virginia’s storm history to its land neighbors:
- Ohio severe storm history — ranked 22nd nationally, Great Lakes severe-weather and lake-effect winters
- Pennsylvania severe storm history — ranked 26th nationally, Great Lakes severe-weather and lake-effect winters
- Maryland severe storm history — ranked 33rd nationally
- Virginia severe storm history — ranked 27th nationally
- Kentucky severe storm history — ranked 23rd nationally, Dixie Alley state with frequent overnight tornadoes
Explore the national NOAA Storm Reports map · US Tornado Tracks map · US Hailstorms map
