Pennsylvania Tornadoes
Pennsylvania averages 16 tornadoes per year. History includes the 1985 F5 outbreak, 1990 Plymouth F4, and multiple recent significant events.
Pennsylvania Tornado Statistics
- Average tornadoes per year: ~16
- Peak season: May-August
- Historical F5: 1985 Niles-Wheatland border event
Notable Pennsylvania Tornado Events
May 31, 1985 F5 Outbreak
Devastating outbreak included the Wheatland/Niles F5 tornado (technically on OH/PA border). 88 killed across multiple states. 21 tornadoes documented across Pennsylvania.
1990 Plymouth F4
F4 struck Plymouth area. Notable significant event.
1998 Salisbury F3
F3 struck Salisbury, Pennsylvania. Multiple deaths.
June 2, 2021 Pennsylvania Tornado
EF3 struck rural Pennsylvania. Recent significant event.
Why Pennsylvania?
Northeast Corridor
Pennsylvania sits in an area of transition. Multiple weather systems can affect the state.
Appalachian Terrain
Mountains suppress some tornado formation but tornadoes do occur in valleys.
Historical Outbreak Corridor
Pennsylvania has been in path of major outbreaks including 1985.
Regional Pennsylvania Risk
Eastern Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Lancaster, Reading. Coastal plain influence.
Central Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, State College. Susquehanna Valley.
Western Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh area, Erie. Multiple significant historical events.
Notable Pennsylvania Cities
- Philadelphia - largest metro
- Pittsburgh - western PA
- Harrisburg - state capital
- Erie - lake corridor
Living in Pennsylvania
- NOAA weather radio recommended
- Basement is standard tornado shelter
- Family plan advisable
- Understanding of Mid-Atlantic tornado risk
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Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
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Place an EF0–EF5 tornado anywhere in the world and see modeled fatalities, structural damage, and economic loss based on real census data.
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