National Weather ServiceDelawareTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Delaware
The National Weather Service issued 8 tornado warnings for Delaware in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 36th most of any state. 2026 through September: 11, 171% above the average of 4 for those months in 2008-2025. Sussex was covered most often (36 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Delaware get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Delaware. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Delaware get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Delaware?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex | 36 | 15 | July 29, 2026 |
| New Castle | 31 | 11 | July 28, 2026 |
| Kent | 30 | 7 | August 20, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest tornado warnings for Delaware in AreaZine's record
NWS Mount HollyWarningJuly 28, 2026
Tornado Warning: New Castle and Chester, DE and PA
Expired 6:45 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a tornado warning?
The NWS issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been seen or weather radar indicates one in the warned area. Warnings are drawn as polygons around the storm's path and usually last 30 to 60 minutes. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Delaware.