State history
Tornadoes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania averages 16 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 16 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: June-July.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1985 May 31 Wheatland F5 — 16 dead in PA.
- 1985 outbreak — 76 dead across OH/PA.
- 1998 outbreak events — multiple.
- 2014 outbreak events — multiple.
- 2019 outbreak events — multiple.
Major cities
Philadelphia metro
6M. Rare events.
Pittsburgh metro
2.4M. Occasional events.
Allentown
125k.
Harrisburg
50k. Capital.
Erie
95k. Great Lakes.
Wheatland
600. 1985 legacy.
NWS coverage
NWS State College
Central PA.
NWS Pittsburgh
Western PA.
NWS Mount Holly NJ (Philadelphia)
SE PA.
NWS Binghamton NY
NE PA.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.