Jefferson County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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16confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1968). Most recent: October 16, 2021, EF1. 2026 so far: 5 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 Jefferson County

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The record

At a glance

Total161950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthAugust5 of 16
StrongestF2Jul 11, 1976
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries14whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 1Jun: 3Jul: 4Aug: 5Sep: 0Oct: 3Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 5 of 16 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 29 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 2: 33 PM: 3: 2: 16 PM: 0: 0: 19 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 2:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 3: 02020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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: 5 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
4
EF1
8
EF2
4

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

F2, July 11, 1976

1 deaths, 7 injuries Strongest

F2, July 11, 1976

28.7 mile path Longest path

28.7 miles, F2

July 11, 1976, whole path Widest

300 yards, EF1

August 21, 2018
Every tornado

All 16 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 16, 2021EF11.16 mi260 yd11
Oct 2, 2018EF24.09 mi200 yd00
Oct 2, 2018EF04.81 mi50 yd00
Aug 21, 2018EF12.39 mi300 yd00
Aug 21, 2014EF05.36 mi50 yd00
Aug 21, 2014EF00.54 mi20 yd00
Jun 15, 2005F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 2, 1998F11.3 mi100 yd00
Jul 30, 1996F00.1 mi50 yd00
Jul 19, 1996F227.4 mi200 yd06
Jul 19, 1996F210 mi100 yd00
May 11, 1981F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 7, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 11, 1976F228.7 mi33 yd17
Aug 30, 1970F110.8 mi200 yd00
Aug 19, 1968F10.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jul 18, 20262 NE PunxsutawneyNot yet rated
Jul 18, 20263 SSW SummervilleNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20265 NW Big RunNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20262 SW WorthvilleNot yet rated
Jun 14, 20262 SW WorthvilleNot 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.