Butler County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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28confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: May 21, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 4 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Butler County

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The record

At a glance

Total281950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJuly9 of 28
StrongestF3May 31, 1985
Deaths9whole paths, see note
Injuries122whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Butler County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 3May: 5Jun: 5Jul: 9Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 9 of 28 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 3: 4: 33 PM: 5: 2: 46 PM: 3: 2: 09 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 4: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 3: 0: 12020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 219501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 4 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
16
EF1
8
EF2
3
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Deadliest

F3, May 31, 1985

9 deaths, 120 injuries Strongest

F3, May 31, 1985

39 mile path Longest path

39 miles, F3

May 31, 1985, whole path Widest

400 yards, EF1

June 16, 2019
Every tornado

All 28 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 21, 2025EF00.24 mi210 yd00
May 21, 2025EF00.36 mi160 yd00
Oct 21, 2021EF08.72 mi300 yd00
Oct 21, 2021EF13.18 mi110 yd00
Jun 16, 2019EF11.54 mi400 yd00
Jul 10, 2017EF03.18 mi75 yd00
May 1, 2017EF00.38 mi50 yd00
May 1, 2017EF02.86 mi50 yd00
Aug 25, 2016EF02.08 mi350 yd00
Aug 10, 2015EF00.58 mi60 yd00
Jun 27, 2015EF01.81 mi50 yd00
Jul 22, 2008EF00.05 mi25 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F17 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 2001F04 mi50 yd00
Jul 29, 1994F13 mi83 yd00
Jul 23, 1991F00.1 mi13 yd00
Sep 6, 1990F10.1 mi40 yd00
Jul 22, 1990F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jul 22, 1990F03.5 mi10 yd00
Jul 22, 1990F00.5 mi10 yd00
May 31, 1985F339 mi243 yd9120
Jul 20, 1981F20.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 28, 1981F20.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 27, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd01
Jun 16, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd01
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 21, 20263 SW ProspectNot yet rated
Jul 21, 20262 SSE PortersvilleNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20263 SE West LibertyNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20264 WSW West LibertyNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.