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Tornado History

Pennsylvania Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Pennsylvania. The local dataset contains 1,022 tornado records from 1950 through 2025, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $1.8B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is September 4, 2025. Across these records, NOAA lists 78 deaths and 1,254 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes1,022
Total Deaths78
Total Injuries1,254
Property Damage$1.8B
Avg Length3.1 mi
Avg Width148 yd

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Key Tornado Facts for Pennsylvania

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 13.4 tornadoes per year (25.3/yr in last decade)
July is the peak tornado month with 216 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F4 in Pennsylvania with 12 deaths
1998 was the most active year with 61 tornadoes
The 2010s had the most tornado activity (208 events)
Longest tornado: 45.3 miles in Pennsylvania
Widest tornado: 3,330.0 yards in Pennsylvania
Most tornadoes in one day: 41 on May 31, 1985

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Pennsylvania, July is the most active month with 216 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

6141210

Summary: 1998 was the most active year with 61 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
F4
F5
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F1 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 300 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$1.0B$100.9M$10.1M$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 1980 with at least $1.0B in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Westmoreland
Crawford
Lancaster
York
Berks
Bucks
Lycoming
Butler
Allegheny
Chester
Mercer
Beaver
Erie
Washington
Bradford
Fayette
Luzerne
Indiana
Cambria
Dauphin

Summary: Westmoreland County has the highest count in this state group with 48 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

F5 May 31, 19851985F5 May 31, 19851985F4 June 3, 19801980F4 June 3, 19801980F4 June 3, 19801980F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 19851985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F4 May 31, 1985F3 August 3, 1963F3 May 31, 1985F3 May 31, 1985F3 May 31, 1985F3 May 31, 1985F3 May 31, 1985F3 July 14, 2004F3 May 31, 1998F3 April 5, 1952F3 September 3, 1963F3 July 11, 1976F3 March 21, 1976F3 July 29, 1976F3 May 31, 1985F3 June 2, 1998F3 May 31, 1998F3 May 31, 1998F3 November 4, 1950F3 November 4, 1950F3 March 22, 1955F3 April 16, 1961F3 June 7, 1980F3 July 26, 1981F3 July 21, 2003F3 May 31, 1985F3 May 31, 1985F3 June 2, 1998EF3 July 29, 2021EF3 July 29, 2021EF2 February 24, 2016EF2 October 21, 2021EF2 June 13, 2018EF2 September 1, 2021EF2 March 23, 2011F2 May 25, 2004F2 June 2, 1998F2 July 29, 1961F2 July 29, 1961F2 October 11, 1975F2 April 5, 1977F2 September 18, 1977F2 September 24, 1977F2 September 5, 1979F2 June 7, 1980F2 June 7, 1980F2 June 9, 1980F2 May 2, 1983F2 May 22, 1983F2 May 22, 1983F2 May 22, 1983F2 May 22, 1983F2 July 5, 1984F2 July 5, 1984F2 July 5, 1984F2 July 5, 1984F2 July 5, 1984© OpenStreetMap contributors

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
May 31, 1985F5Mercer, Pennsylvania12 mi450 yd860$250K
May 31, 1985F5Mercer, Pennsylvania2 mi450 yd00$250K
June 3, 1980F4Allegheny, Pennsylvania1.9 mi33 yd020$250.0M
June 3, 1980F4Westmoreland, Pennsylvania7.6 mi33 yd00$250.0M
June 3, 1980F4Armstrong, Pennsylvania2.3 mi33 yd0120$250.0M
May 31, 1985F4Erie, Pennsylvania12 mi400 yd1282$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Crawford, Pennsylvania22.5 mi350 yd875$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Venango, Pennsylvania12.5 mi350 yd840$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Mercer, Pennsylvania7 mi350 yd05$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Venango, Pennsylvania11 mi350 yd05$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Forest, Pennsylvania3 mi350 yd00$25.0M
May 31, 1985F4Clearfield, Pennsylvania30 mi3330 yd00$25.0M

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Top County Pages

Top Location Pages

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Source And Limits

Data source: NOAA/NCEI. TornadoTrace summarizes historical records for screening and research. Coordinates, damage estimates, narratives, and event details can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. Do not use this page as legal, insurance, engineering, real estate, emergency management, or safety advice.