NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Columbus, NJ
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
49 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Columbus, New Jersey since 1851, 8 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 69 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 8
- Tropical storms
- 41
- Tornadoes
- 69
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
1 deaths in all
What the records show for Columbus
The strongest storm to pass near Columbus was Donna in 1960, a Category 2 hurricane with 98 mph winds when its centre passed 68 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Sandy in 2012, whose centre came within 35 miles. The record near Columbus begins with an unnamed storm in 1856; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 2 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1890s, with 5 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 49 systems, 9 have come since 2000. Columbus has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 53% of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site. The highest rating among the 69 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3 or EF3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on July 29, 2021, came within 13 miles. The deadliest, an F0 on October 27, 2003, killed 1 person. Of the 69, 7 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 33 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 18. The most recent tornado was on June 14, 2024. Columbus has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 81% of the 455 New Jersey cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 90 times since 1964, with stones up to 2.5 inches (tennis ball size). Columbus has more hail reports within 10 miles than 74% of the 455 New Jersey cities.
Compare Columbus's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Columbus
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2020 | FayJul 10 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2012 | SandyOct 30 | 35 mi | Category 1 (76 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2004 | CharleyAug 15 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 16 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1992 | DanielleSep 26 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 55 mi | Category 1 (91 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1985 | HenriSep 24 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 65 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 22 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 68 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 3 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 8 | 73 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | overhead | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 3 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 43 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (45 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 14 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 57 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 43 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 66 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 20 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Columbus: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus
By decade
- 2020s20(1 EF3+)
- 2010s8
- 2000s5
- 1990s11
- 1980s9
- 1970s3(1 EF3+)
- 1960s6(1 EF3+)
- 1950s7
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF3 | 13 mi | 3.4 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 26, 1977 | F3 | 22 mi | 5.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | F3 | 13 mi | 12.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 23 mi | 1.59 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 17 mi | 2.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 21, 2023 | EF2 | 14 mi | 5.8 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 17 mi | 6.31 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 13 mi | 20.77 mi | 0 / 18 |
| May 31, 1998 | F2 | 13 mi | 5.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 9, 1989 | F2 | 22 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Aug 17, 1988 | F2 | 10 mi | 4.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | F2 | 19 mi | 1.9 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 69, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Columbus
The Storm Prediction Center has 90 hail reports within 10 miles of Columbus since 1964, made on 56 separate days. Of these, 45 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.5 inches (tennis ball size), fell on May 29, 1995. The most recent report is from September 8, 2023. July has the most reports, 29.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Columbus
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Philadelphia/Mt Holly WFO, NJ, 7 miles southwest of Columbus at 63 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 85°F and low of 66°F; January is the coolest, at 39°F and 23°F. July is the wettest at 5.1 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.7 inches; the year adds up to 46.0 inches over 88 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 53% of the year's precipitation (24.5 of 46.0 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 49 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (20); a normal September there has highs of 76°F and 3.7 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 22 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 111 nights a year. Snowfall averages 24.8 inches a year, most of it in January. That 46.0 inches is more than at 13 of the 51 New Jersey stations used on this site (25%). Chesterfield, 6 miles northeast, has its own station (Hightstown 2 W, NJ): 47.6 inches a year, 1.6 more than here, and a July average high of 87°F against 85°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station Newbold, PA, 5 miles northwest, averaged 80°F in July and 37°F in January over 2021–2025. It averaged 80°F or warmer from July. Sea level at the Philadelphia tide gauge, 25 miles from Columbus, has risen 1.24 ± 0.04 inches per decade from 1900 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 12.4 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 73 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in | Water °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39 | 23 | 3.3 | 8 | 8.4 | 37 |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 2.7 | 7 | 6.1 | 38 |
| Mar | 50 | 31 | 4.1 | 7 | 5.9 | 45 |
| Apr | 63 | 41 | 3.5 | 8 | 0.0 | 54 |
| May | 72 | 51 | 3.6 | 8 | 0.0 | 64 |
| Jun | 81 | 61 | 4.2 | 8 | 0.0 | 73 |
| Jul | 85 | 66 | 5.1 | 8 | 0.0 | 80 |
| Aug | 83 | 64 | 4.5 | 8 | 0.0 | 78 |
| Sep | 76 | 57 | 3.7 | 6 | 0.0 | 72 |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 3.8 | 7 | 0.1 | 61 |
| Nov | 54 | 34 | 3.2 | 6 | 0.5 | 49 |
| Dec | 44 | 28 | 4.3 | 8 | 3.8 | 39 |
| Year | 63 | 43 | 46.0 | 88 | 24.8 | 58 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Philadelphia/Mt Holly WFO, NJ (63 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station Newbold, PA, from NOAA Tides & Currents. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Columbus
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 458 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Columbus: 349 thunderstorm wind reports, 41 flash floods, 34 floods, 18 heavy rain events and 16 lightning strikes. They killed 2 people and injured 6, and the NWS estimated $44.1 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 84 mph, on June 22, 1996. July has had the most flash floods, 16 of 41. Of the 455 New Jersey cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 147 have had fewer than Columbus.
May 16, 2012: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Columbus — 1 killed, 3 injured, $250,000 damage.
June 9, 2021: lightning strike 7 miles from the centre of Columbus — 1 killed.
July 14, 2010: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Columbus — 2 injured.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Burlington County, which includes Columbus, has been named in 31 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 19 of them major disasters (by incident: 9 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 6 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on September 5, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Burlington County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for strong wind; Relatively High for inland flooding and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes, coastal flooding and heat waves; Very Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $175.8 million a year, the 9th highest of 21 New Jersey counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $121.5 million (69%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.