NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Oxford, 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
34 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Oxford, Pennsylvania since 1851, 3 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 93 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 3
- Tropical storms
- 31
- Tornadoes
- 93
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
3 deaths in all
What the records show for Oxford
The strongest storm to pass near Oxford was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 1 hurricane with 87 mph winds when its centre passed 31 miles away. The record near Oxford begins with an unnamed storm in 1861; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 6 miles away. The 1870s and the 1950s were the busiest decades, with 4 systems each. Of the 34 systems, 5 have come since 2000. Oxford has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 89% of the 794 Pennsylvania cities on this site. The highest rating among the 93 tornadoes within 25 miles is F3, reached 3 times; the most recent, on July 27, 1994, came within 11 miles. The deadliest, an F1 on June 9, 1993, killed 1 person. Of the 93, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 35 have come since 2000. July and August have had the most tornadoes, 17 each. The most recent tornado was on September 4, 2025. Oxford has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 96% of the 794 Pennsylvania cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 19 times since 1994, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 794 Pennsylvania cities, 86% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Oxford.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Oxford
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 1 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2012 | SandyOct 30 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 6 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2006 | ErnestoSep 2 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 50 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1992 | DanielleSep 26 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 18 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1955 | ConnieAug 13 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 15 | 69 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 3 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1943 | Unnamed 1943 stormOct 1 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormAug 24 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 2 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (71 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 70 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 16 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormOct 23 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 11 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 31 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 4 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 29 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Oxford: 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 Oxford
By decade
- 2020s11
- 2010s11
- 2000s13
- 1990s27(1 EF3+)
- 1980s9
- 1970s12
- 1960s7(1 EF3+)
- 1950s3(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 22, 1955 | F3 | 23 mi | 9.6 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | F3 | 11 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 11 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | F3 | 23 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | F2 | 9 mi | 4.1 mi | 1 / 4 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | in town | 5.92 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 18 mi | 35.78 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 16 mi | 4.87 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | F2 | 21 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 18, 2004 | F2 | 21 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 2, 2002 | F2 | 6 mi | 4.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | F2 | 10 mi | 7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 27, 1993 | F2 | 21 mi | 10 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 93, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Oxford
The Storm Prediction Center has 19 hail reports within 10 miles of Oxford since 1994, made on 16 separate days. Of these, 11 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 3 days, most recently April 1, 2023. The most recent report is from May 3, 2025. May and June have the most reports, 6 each.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Oxford
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Octoraro Lake, PA, 4 miles west of Oxford at 260 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 85°F and low of 65°F; January is the coolest, at 39°F and 22°F. September is the wettest at 5.2 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 48.5 inches over 80 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (26.4 of 48.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 34 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (12); a normal September there has highs of 76°F and 5.2 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 23 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 125 nights a year. Snowfall averages 18.1 inches a year, most of it in February. That 48.5 inches is more than at 119 of the 148 Pennsylvania stations used on this site (80%). Lincoln University, 4 miles east, has its own station (Avondale 2 N, PA): 47.1 inches a year, 1.4 less than here, and a July average high of 84°F against 85°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station Chesapeake City, MD, 20 miles southeast, averaged 84°F in July and 38°F in January over 2021–2025. It averaged 80°F or warmer from July to August. Sea level at the Chesapeake City tide gauge, 20 miles from Oxford, has risen 1.76 ± 0.12 inches per decade from 1972 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 17.6 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 111 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 | 22 | 3.5 | 7 | 5.0 | 38 |
| Feb | 42 | 23 | 2.9 | 6 | 7.1 | 39 |
| Mar | 51 | 31 | 4.2 | 7 | 2.6 | 46 |
| Apr | 63 | 40 | 3.8 | 7 | 0.1 | 57 |
| May | 72 | 50 | 3.6 | 7 | 0.0 | 67 |
| Jun | 80 | 60 | 4.5 | 7 | 0.0 | 76 |
| Jul | 85 | 65 | 4.5 | 7 | 0.0 | 84 |
| Aug | 83 | 63 | 4.7 | 7 | 0.0 | 82 |
| Sep | 76 | 56 | 5.2 | 6 | 0.0 | 76 |
| Oct | 65 | 44 | 4.1 | 6 | 0.0 | 65 |
| Nov | 53 | 33 | 3.4 | 6 | 0.3 | 53 |
| Dec | 43 | 27 | 4.1 | 7 | 3.0 | 42 |
| Year | 63 | 43 | 48.5 | 80 | 18.1 | 60 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Octoraro Lake, PA (260 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station Chesapeake City, MD, 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 Oxford
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 196 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Oxford: 137 thunderstorm wind reports, 29 flash floods, 14 lightning strikes, 10 floods and 6 heavy rain events. They killed 3 people and injured 7, and the NWS estimated $44.7 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 75 mph, on August 7, 2023. July has had the most flash floods, 19 of 29. Of the 788 Pennsylvania cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 418 have had fewer than Oxford.
August 31, 2014: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Oxford — 1 killed, 1 injured.
September 1, 2021: flash flood 5 miles from the centre of Oxford — 1 killed, $41.0 million damage.
June 9, 2011: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Oxford — 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
Chester County, which includes Oxford, has been named in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 18 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 6 floods, 5 severe storms, 4 snowstorms). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on September 10, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Chester County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes and heat waves; Relatively Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $172.6 million a year, the 5th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $105.8 million (61%), 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 Oxford
- Lincoln University, PA4 mi
- Nottingham, PA5 mi
- Kirkwood, PA7 mi
- Cochranville, PA7 mi
- Rising Sun, MD7 mi
- West Grove, PA8 mi
- Christiana, PA10 mi
- Landenberg, PA10 mi
- Peach Bottom, PA11 mi
- Avondale, PA11 mi
- Quarryville, PA11 mi
- Atglen, PA11 mi
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