Elk County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1963). Most recent: March 16, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 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 Elk County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMay7 of 16
StrongestF4May 31, 1985
Deaths5whole paths, see note
Injuries61whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 1Apr: 0May: 7Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 7 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 2: 33 PM: 1: 2: 26 PM: 2: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 12:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 02000: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 2: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
10
EF2
2
EF3
1
EF4
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

F4, May 31, 1985

4 deaths, 40 injuries Strongest

F4, May 31, 1985

29 mile path Longest path

29 miles, F4

May 31, 1985, whole path Widest

1,000 yards, F4

May 31, 1985
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 16, 2025EF10.51 mi200 yd00
Oct 16, 2021EF11.16 mi260 yd11
May 4, 2021EF10.6 mi125 yd00
Oct 2, 2018EF00.17 mi20 yd00
Aug 21, 2018EF12.39 mi300 yd00
May 1, 2017EF11.68 mi200 yd00
May 1, 2017EF21.1 mi175 yd00
Aug 9, 2009EF11.5 mi150 yd00
Jul 26, 2009EF11.25 mi30 yd00
Aug 19, 2001F15 mi300 yd00
Jun 20, 2001F13 mi60 yd00
May 31, 1998F13 mi100 yd00
May 31, 1998F00.5 mi100 yd00
May 31, 1985F429 mi1,000 yd440
May 31, 1985F219 mi300 yd00
Sep 3, 1963F38.4 mi100 yd020
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.