Mercer County, Pennsylvania tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: August 6, 2024, EFU. 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 Mercer County

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The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay6 of 24
StrongestF5May 31, 1985
Deaths35whole paths, see note
Injuries466whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 2May: 6Jun: 4Jul: 2Aug: 3Sep: 4Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 6 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 012 PM: 4: 1: 13 PM: 5: 5: 16 PM: 1: 1: 19 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

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 22020: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
7
EF2
5
EF3
1
EF4
1
EF5
1
Unknown
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

F5, May 31, 1985

18 deaths, 310 injuries Strongest

F5, May 31, 1985

47 mile path Longest path

56.2 miles, F4

May 31, 1985, whole path Widest

500 yards, F2

November 10, 2002
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 6, 2024EFU0.03 mi20 yd00
Sep 22, 2021EF10.26 mi90 yd00
Jun 16, 2019EF11.14 mi150 yd00
Jan 8, 2019EF12.8 mi400 yd00
May 31, 2015EF01.1 mi250 yd00
Jul 8, 2014EF12.46 mi150 yd00
Jun 6, 2010EF03 mi80 yd00
May 1, 2007EF04 mi100 yd00
Jul 21, 2003F03 mi80 yd00
Nov 10, 2002F27 mi500 yd119
Apr 28, 2002F116 mi200 yd00
Apr 28, 2002F06 mi50 yd00
Sep 21, 1992F04 mi20 yd00
Oct 3, 1986F29 mi123 yd00
May 31, 1985F547 mi450 yd18310
May 31, 1985F456.2 mi350 yd16125
Aug 2, 1980F12 mi10 yd01
May 13, 1978F00.1 mi10 yd00
Sep 24, 1977F10.1 mi10 yd00
Aug 8, 1977F00.1 mi10 yd01
May 2, 1972F37.9 mi33 yd03
Jun 15, 1964F20.1 mi400 yd04
Sep 30, 1954F20.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 1, 1954F20.1 mi10 yd03
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.