NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Holtwood, PA
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
28 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Holtwood, Pennsylvania since 1851, 2 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 77 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 1 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 2
- Tropical storms
- 26
- Tornadoes
- 77
- EF3 or stronger
- 1
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
no recorded deaths
What the records show for Holtwood
The strongest storm to pass near Holtwood was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 1 hurricane with 87 mph winds when its centre passed 14 miles away. The record near Holtwood begins with an unnamed storm in 1863; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 16 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1950s, with 4 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 28 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Holtwood has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 54% of the 794 Pennsylvania cities on this site. The strongest of the 77 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F3 on April 5, 1952; its path came within 24 miles. Of the 77, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 36 have come since 2000. June has had the most tornadoes, 20. The most recent tornado was on September 4, 2025. Holtwood has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 79% of the 794 Pennsylvania cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 32 times since 1980, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 794 Pennsylvania cities, 69% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Holtwood.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Holtwood
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 1 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2012 | SandyOct 30 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 67 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1992 | DanielleSep 26 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1979 | DavidSep 6 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1955 | ConnieAug 13 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 52 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1943 | Unnamed 1943 stormOct 1 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormAug 24 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 23 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 21 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 13 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 14 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Holtwood: 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 Holtwood
By decade
- 2020s10
- 2010s14
- 2000s12
- 1990s15
- 1980s5
- 1970s11
- 1960s4
- 1950s6(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 5, 1952 | F3 | 24 mi | 17.5 mi | 0 / 4 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 18 mi | 5.92 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 17 mi | 4.87 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 18, 2004 | F2 | 10 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 2, 2002 | F2 | 21 mi | 4.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | F2 | 7 mi | 7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | F2 | 12 mi | 2.5 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Aug 28, 1992 | F2 | 18 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Jun 15, 1989 | F2 | 11 mi | 16 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Jun 29, 1980 | F2 | 24 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 10 |
| Oct 11, 1975 | F2 | 22 mi | 17.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 17, 1974 | F2 | 12 mi | 0.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 77, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Holtwood
The Storm Prediction Center has 32 hail reports within 10 miles of Holtwood since 1980, made on 26 separate days. Of these, 16 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 4 days, most recently August 10, 2008. The most recent report is from June 30, 2025. June has the most reports, 10.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Holtwood
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Safe Harbor Dam, PA, 7 miles northwest of Holtwood at 195 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 68°F; January is the coolest, at 39°F and 25°F. September is the wettest at 4.9 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.7 inches; the year adds up to 46.5 inches over 79 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (25.2 of 46.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 28 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (9); a normal September there has highs of 77°F and 4.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 20 days a year, almost all from June to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 87 nights a year. Snowfall averages 21.3 inches a year, most of it in February. That 46.5 inches is more than at 94 of the 148 Pennsylvania stations used on this site (64%). Quarryville, 7 miles east, has its own station (Octoraro Lake, PA): 48.5 inches a year, 2.0 more than here, and a July average high of 85°F against 87°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39 | 25 | 3.3 | 6 | 6.1 |
| Feb | 41 | 26 | 2.7 | 5 | 7.6 |
| Mar | 50 | 33 | 4.1 | 7 | 3.5 |
| Apr | 63 | 44 | 3.5 | 7 | 0.0 |
| May | 72 | 53 | 3.9 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 82 | 63 | 4.6 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 87 | 68 | 4.3 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 84 | 66 | 3.6 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 77 | 60 | 4.9 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 65 | 48 | 4.4 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 53 | 38 | 3.4 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Dec | 44 | 30 | 3.8 | 7 | 3.6 |
| Year | 63 | 46 | 46.5 | 79 | 21.3 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Safe Harbor Dam, PA (195 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. 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 Holtwood
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 123 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Holtwood: 107 thunderstorm wind reports, 7 flash floods, 7 floods, 1 heavy rain event and 1 lightning strike. They killed 2 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $625,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 86 mph, on May 28, 2005. June has had the most flash floods, 3 of 7. Of the 788 Pennsylvania cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 112 have had fewer than Holtwood.
August 31, 2014: lightning strike 10 miles from the centre of Holtwood — 1 killed, 1 injured.
April 22, 2023: thunderstorm wind 6 miles from the centre of Holtwood — 1 killed.
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
Lancaster County, which includes Holtwood, has been named in 22 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1972, 15 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 floods, 4 hurricanes, 4 severe storms, 4 snowstorms). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 30, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Lancaster County a Relatively High rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for tornadoes, hail and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $170.0 million a year, the 6th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $110.6 million (65%), 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.
Cities near Holtwood
- Pequea, PA4 mi
- New Providence, PA5 mi
- Conestoga, PA7 mi
- Quarryville, PA7 mi
- Willow Street, PA7 mi
- Airville, PA7 mi
- Delta, PA8 mi
- Peach Bottom, PA9 mi
- Strasburg, PA9 mi
- Millersville, PA10 mi
- Whiteford, MD11 mi
- Kirkwood, PA11 mi
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