Tornado Alerts Near McDowell, VA 24458

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near McDowell

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the McDowell area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity level Moderate

Average per year 1.3 tornados

Peak season month April

Total on record 67 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of McDowell

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF1	Moderate damage	1.2 mi × 150 yd	None	71 mi	Sep 27, 2024
EF0	Light damage	2.2 mi × 10 yd	None	41 mi	Sep 25, 2024
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 300 yd	None	79 mi	May 26, 2024
EF2	Considerable damage	6.3 mi × 330 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	66 mi	May 27, 2022
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 60 yd	None	33 mi	May 6, 2022
EF1	Moderate damage	4 mi × 75 yd	None	32 mi	Apr 26, 2022
EF1	Moderate damage	0.2 mi × 75 yd	None	93 mi	Aug 31, 2021
EF1	Moderate damage	1.9 mi × 75 yd	None	102 mi	Aug 31, 2021
EF0	Light damage	1.2 mi × 75 yd	None	64 mi	Aug 1, 2020
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	110 mi	Aug 9, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	2.2 mi × 60 yd	None	65 mi	Apr 19, 2019
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 100 yd	None	73 mi	May 19, 2018
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 75 yd	None	47 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF3	Severe damage	10.7 mi × 400 yd	0 dead, 7 hurt	63 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF2	Considerable damage	8.6 mi × 600 yd	0 dead, 2 hurt	70 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF2	Considerable damage	1.1 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 3 hurt	71 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	1.7 mi × 400 yd	None	80 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.7 mi × 100 yd	None	75 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 150 yd	None	62 mi	Apr 15, 2018
EF1	Moderate damage	1.7 mi × 300 yd	None	98 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF1	Moderate damage	1.3 mi × 300 yd	None	100 mi	Oct 23, 2017
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	84 mi	May 5, 2017
EF0	Light damage	2.6 mi × 300 yd	None	52 mi	Jun 21, 2016
EF1	Moderate damage	2.8 mi × 300 yd	None	54 mi	Jun 21, 2016
EF1	Moderate damage	1.8 mi × 150 yd	None	50 mi	Jun 17, 2015
EF1	Moderate damage	4 mi × 150 yd	None	19 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF0	Light damage	1.6 mi × 125 yd	None	42 mi	Apr 28, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 100 yd	None	55 mi	Apr 27, 2011
EF0	Light damage	3.8 mi × 200 yd	None	32 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF0	Light damage	1.3 mi × 100 yd	None	34 mi	Apr 16, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	3.1 mi × 480 yd	None	113 mi	Apr 8, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	1.9 mi × 400 yd	0 dead, 9 hurt	113 mi	Apr 8, 2011
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	92 mi	Jul 17, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 150 yd	None	87 mi	Jul 17, 2009
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 75 yd	None	89 mi	Jul 17, 2009
EF0	Light damage	1.6 mi × 60 yd	None	79 mi	Jun 3, 2008
EF1	Moderate damage	3 mi × 75 yd	None	73 mi	Sep 17, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	1.9 mi × 100 yd	None	76 mi	Sep 17, 2004
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 25 yd	None	73 mi	Sep 17, 2004
EF2	Considerable damage	3 mi × 300 yd	None	76 mi	Sep 17, 2004
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 35 yd	None	72 mi	Aug 5, 2003
EF2	Considerable damage	5 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 11 hurt	70 mi	Apr 28, 2002
EF2	Considerable damage	5 mi × 150 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	73 mi	Apr 28, 2002
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 100 yd	None	69 mi	Apr 28, 2002
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	84 mi	Apr 17, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 33 yd	None	50 mi	Aug 9, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	31 mi	Jun 27, 1998
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	98 mi	Jun 11, 1998
EF2	Considerable damage	0.5 mi × 30 yd	None	68 mi	Jul 15, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 25 yd	None	76 mi	Jul 15, 1996
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 15 yd	None	71 mi	Jun 9, 1996
EF2	Considerable damage	0.1 mi × 30 yd	None	81 mi	Jun 9, 1996
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	77 mi	Apr 9, 1991
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	51 mi	Jul 9, 1990
EF2	Considerable damage	4 mi × 150 yd	None	71 mi	Jun 22, 1990
EF2	Considerable damage	1 mi × 150 yd	None	70 mi	Jun 22, 1990
EF2	Considerable damage	7 mi × 27 yd	2 dead, 10 hurt	19 mi	May 4, 1990
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	92 mi	Apr 2, 1990
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	84 mi	Jun 21, 1989
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	97 mi	Mar 30, 1987
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 200 yd	None	79 mi	Mar 21, 1984
EF2	Considerable damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	34 mi	Jul 9, 1980
EF1	Moderate damage	0.8 mi × 30 yd	None	44 mi	Jul 9, 1980
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	94 mi	Aug 9, 1978
EF2	Considerable damage	3.6 mi × 40 yd	None	88 mi	Jun 25, 1977
EF2	Considerable damage	4.1 mi × 33 yd	None	77 mi	Jul 11, 1976
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 33 yd	None	62 mi	May 15, 1976

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near McDowell over 27 years

67

Total tornados on record

1.3

Average per year

EF3

Strongest recorded

Apr

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

22

EF1

29

EF2

15

EF3

1

EF4

0

EF5

0

Yearly Tornado Count

1976 2024

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF3 AMHERST, VI Apr 15, 2018

10.7 mi path 7 injured

EF2 AUGUSTA, VI May 4, 1990

7 mi path 2 deaths 10 injured

EF2 LYNCHBURG (C), VI Apr 15, 2018

8.6 mi path 2 injured

EF2 BEDFORD, VI May 27, 2022

6.3 mi path 3 injured

EF2 CAMPBELL, VI Apr 28, 2002

5 mi path 11 injured

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. McDowell sees the most tornado activity in Apr. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

2%

Feb

3%

Mar

7%

PEAK

Apr

10%

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

9%

Sep

7%

Oct

6%

Nov

5%

Dec

3%

Current month Peak for McDowell

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️ Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️ Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️ Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️ Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍 Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓ Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓ Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓ Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓ If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗ NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗ NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near McDowell with live tracking