National Weather ServiceVirginiaTornado WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Tornado Watches in Virginia
The National Weather Service issued 9 tornado watches for Virginia in 2025 and 12 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 19th most of any state. 2026 through September: 5, 52% below the average of 10 for those months in 2008-2025. Southampton was covered most often (85 times since 2008).
How many tornado watches does Virginia get?
Every tornado watch that covered part of Virginia. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 5 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2008 | 23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton | 85 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Franklin | 84 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| Sussex | 84 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Emporia | 83 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Suffolk | 83 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Greensville | 83 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Surry | 82 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| Isle of Wight | 80 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Chesapeake | 79 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Newport News | 79 | 13 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Norfolk | 79 | 12 | March 16, 2026 |
| City of Virginia Beach | 79 | 12 | March 16, 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.
What is a tornado watch?
Tornado watches come from the NWS Storm Prediction Center when thunderstorms able to produce tornadoes are possible over a large area, usually for several hours; local offices list the counties it covers. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Virginia.