National Weather ServiceVirginiaTornado WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Warnings in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 34 tornado warnings for Virginia in 2025 and 64 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 21st most of any state. 2026 through September: 42, 29% below the average of 59 for those months in 2008-2025. Pittsylvania was covered most often (80 times since 2008).
How many tornado warnings does Virginia get?
Every tornado warning that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 42 |
| 2025 | 34 |
| 2024 | 107 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2020 | 51 |
| 2019 | 94 |
| 2018 | 67 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2016 | 61 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 25 |
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2011 | 176 |
| 2010 | 63 |
| 2009 | 57 |
| 2008 | 87 |
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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsylvania | 80 | 22 | July 22, 2026 |
| City of Suffolk | 71 | 15 | September 27, 2024 |
| Halifax | 68 | 14 | July 22, 2026 |
| Hanover | 64 | 6 | March 17, 2026 |
| Henry | 64 | 21 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Chesapeake | 63 | 6 | June 23, 2026 |
| City of Virginia Beach | 53 | 5 | July 29, 2026 |
| King and Queen | 52 | 6 | June 8, 2025 |
| Isle of Wight | 51 | 13 | September 4, 2026 |
| Chesterfield | 49 | 3 | June 8, 2025 |
| Caroline | 48 | 7 | February 16, 2025 |
| King William | 48 | 4 | May 5, 2025 |
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 Virginia in AreaZine's record
NWS WakefieldWarningAugust 14, 2026
Tornado Warning: Prince George, VA
Expired 11:15 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningAugust 14, 2026
Tornado Warning: Albemarle and City of Charlottesville, VA
Expired 6:00 p.m. EDT, August 14, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 28, 2026
Tornado Warning: Rappahannock, VA
Expired 5:30 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
NWS MorristownWarningJuly 28, 2026
Tornado Warning: Johnson, Sullivan and Washington County, TN and VA
Expired 5:00 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
NWS MorristownWarningJuly 28, 2026
Tornado Warning: Greene, Hawkins, Sullivan and 2 more, TN and VA
Expired 4:45 p.m. EDT, July 28, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 21, 2026
Tornado Warning: Nelson, VA
Expired 12:15 a.m. EDT, July 22, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 21, 2026
Tornado Warning: Shenandoah, VA
Expired 8:15 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2026
NWS Baltimore MD/WashingtonWarningJuly 21, 2026
Tornado Warning: Rockingham, Shenandoah, Hardy and 1 more, VA and WV
Expired 8:15 p.m. EDT, July 21, 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 Virginia.