Tornadoes and Hail in Pennsylvania, May 31, 1985

Name: Tornadoes and Hail in Pennsylvania, May 31, 1985
Start: 1985-05-31T00:00
End: 1985-05-31T23:45
Location: Pennsylvania

May 31, 1985 · NWS R · 80 events in 30 counties and zones

41 tornado, 23 hail, 16 thunderstorm wind, as filed by the National Weather Service.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 67
Injuries: 526
Property damage: $378 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 80

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

Event by event

41 tornado, 23 hail, 16 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Beaver

When: May 31, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Beaver County
Coordinates: 40.530, -80.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Allegheny

When: May 31, 12:30 AM CST
Where: Allegheny County
Coordinates: 40.380, -80.030

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: May 31, 1:00 AM CST
Where: Washington County
Coordinates: 40.180, -80.250

Tornado, Erie

When: May 31, 3:01 PM CST
Where: Erie County
Rating: F4
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 400 yd
Deaths: 12 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 82 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.850, -80.520

Tornado, Crawford

When: May 31, 3:10 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F2
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 200 yd
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.650, -80.420

Tornado, Mercer

When: May 31, 3:17 PM CST
Where: Mercer County
Rating: F4
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.480, -80.520

Tornado, Crawford

When: May 31, 3:23 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F3
Path length: 23 mi
Path width: 277 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.700, -80.150

Tornado, Erie

When: May 31, 3:25 PM CST
Where: Erie County
Rating: F4
Path length: 16 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.930, -79.950

Tornado, Crawford

When: May 31, 3:26 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F4
Path length: 22.5 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Deaths: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 75 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.480, -80.420

Tornado, Crawford

When: May 31, 3:41 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F2
Path length: 1 mi
Path width: 127 yd
Coordinates: 41.730, -80.520

Tornado, Erie

When: May 31, 3:49 PM CST
Where: Erie County
Rating: F4
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.980, -79.630

Tornado, Warren

When: May 31, 3:52 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F4
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 42.000, -79.600

Tornado, Venango

When: May 31, 3:55 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Rating: F4
Path length: 12.5 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Deaths: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 40 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.520, -79.930

Tornado, Venango

When: May 31, 4:11 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Rating: F4
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Injuries: 5 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.730, -78.830

Tornado, Crawford

When: May 31, 4:12 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Rating: F3
Path length: 8 mi
Path width: 427 yd
Property damage: $2.5 million
Coordinates: 41.720, -79.800

Tornado, Forest

When: May 31, 4:25 PM CST
Where: Forest County
Rating: F4
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 350 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.430, -79.520

Tornado, Warren

When: May 31, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F1
Path length: 5 mi
Path width: 130 yd
Coordinates: 41.800, -79.380

Tornado, Venango

When: May 31, 4:30 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Rating: F4
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Coordinates: 41.550, -79.620

Tornado, Forest

When: May 31, 4:36 PM CST
Where: Forest County
Rating: F4
Path length: 25 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Deaths: 7 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 30 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.520, -79.530

Hail, Crawford

When: May 31, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.670, -80.150

Hail, Erie

When: May 31, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Erie County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.900, -80.380

Hail, Crawford

When: May 31, 4:45 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.800, -80.470

Tornado, Forest

When: May 31, 4:50 PM CST
Where: Forest County
Rating: F2
Path length: 1.5 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.570, -78.950

Tornado, Elk

When: May 31, 4:54 PM CST
Where: Elk County
Rating: F2
Path length: 10.5 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.580, -78.930

Hail, Clarion

When: May 31, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Clarion County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.200, -79.420

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 31, 5:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.170, -79.080

Tornado, Mercer

When: May 31, 5:10 PM CST
Where: Mercer County
Rating: F5
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 450 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.170, -80.520

Tornado, Mercer

When: May 31, 5:14 PM CST
Where: Mercer County
Rating: F5
Path length: 12 mi
Path width: 450 yd
Deaths: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 60 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.200, -80.480

Tornado, McKean

When: May 31, 5:18 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Rating: F2
Path length: 7 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.620, -78.780

Hail, Clarion

When: May 31, 5:20 PM CST
Where: Clarion County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.230, -79.550

Tornado, Warren

When: May 31, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F3
Path length: 17 mi
Path width: 800 yd
Injuries: 8 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.680, -79.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: May 31, 5:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Coordinates: 41.680, -79.150

Tornado, Clearfield

When: May 31, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Clearfield County
Rating: F4
Path length: 30 mi
Path width: 3,330 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.180, -78.670

Hail, Crawford

When: May 31, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.780, -79.850

Hail, Crawford

When: May 31, 5:35 PM CST
Where: Crawford County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.800, -80.070

Tornado, Venango

When: May 31, 5:54 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Rating: F2
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 150 yd
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.220, -79.800

Tornado, Venango

When: May 31, 5:56 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Rating: F0
Path length: 3 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.180, -79.770

Tornado, Clarion

When: May 31, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Clarion County
Rating: F0
Path length: 2 mi
Path width: 300 yd
Coordinates: 41.180, -79.700

Tornado, Warren

When: May 31, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Rating: F4
Path length: 3.5 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Coordinates: 41.630, -79.030

Tornado, McKean

When: May 31, 6:05 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Rating: F4
Path length: 7.5 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Coordinates: 41.630, -78.930

Tornado, Beaver

When: May 31, 6:10 PM CST
Where: Beaver County
Rating: F3
Path length: 17 mi
Path width: 243 yd
Deaths: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 40 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.820, -80.470

Tornado, Clinton

When: May 31, 6:12 PM CST
Where: Clinton County
Rating: F4
Path length: 5.5 mi
Path width: 3,330 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.200, -78.070

Tornado, McKean

When: May 31, 6:15 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Rating: F4
Path length: 6.5 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Deaths: 4 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 40 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.670, -78.830

Tornado, Centre

When: May 31, 6:19 PM CST
Where: Centre County
Rating: F4
Path length: 4.5 mi
Path width: 3,330 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.200, -77.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Venango

When: May 31, 6:20 PM CST
Where: Venango County
Coordinates: 41.430, -79.720

Tornado, Clinton

When: May 31, 6:24 PM CST
Where: Clinton County
Rating: F4
Path length: 29 mi
Path width: 3,330 yd
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.170, -77.870

Tornado, Elk

When: May 31, 6:24 PM CST
Where: Elk County
Rating: F4
Path length: 11.5 mi
Path width: 1,000 yd
Coordinates: 41.630, -78.700

Hail, Warren

When: May 31, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.680, -79.420

Hail, Jefferson

When: May 31, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Jefferson County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.170, -79.080

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: May 31, 6:30 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Coordinates: 41.680, -79.420

Tornado, Butler

When: May 31, 6:34 PM CST
Where: Butler County
Rating: F3
Path length: 22 mi
Path width: 243 yd
Deaths: 6 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 80 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 40.780, -80.150

Hail, McKean

When: May 31, 6:34 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.800, -78.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Beaver

When: May 31, 6:40 PM CST
Where: Beaver County
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 40.670, -80.370

Hail, McKean

When: May 31, 6:51 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.800, -78.630

Hail, Beaver

When: May 31, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Beaver County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.630, -80.450

Tornado, Lycoming

When: May 31, 7:25 PM CST
Where: Lycoming County
Rating: F3
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 910 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.180, -77.150

Hail, Lycoming

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Lycoming County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.200, -77.270

Hail, Armstrong

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Armstrong County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.730, -79.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Armstrong

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Armstrong County
Coordinates: 40.730, -79.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Bradford

When: May 31, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Bradford County
Coordinates: 41.820, -76.470

Tornado, Union

When: May 31, 7:47 PM CST
Where: Union County
Rating: F3
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 910 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.130, -76.970

Tornado, Indiana

When: May 31, 7:53 PM CST
Where: Indiana County
Rating: F0
Path length: 6 mi
Path width: 27 yd
Coordinates: 40.630, -79.000

Tornado, Northumberland

When: May 31, 7:56 PM CST
Where: Northumberland County
Rating: F3
Path length: 4 mi
Path width: 2,640 yd
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 20 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $25 million
Coordinates: 41.150, -76.920

Hail, Warren

When: May 31, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.780, -79.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: May 31, 8:00 PM CST
Where: Cameron County
Coordinates: 41.430, -78.200

Hail, Warren

When: May 31, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.780, -79.300

Thunderstorm Wind, Warren

When: May 31, 8:15 PM CST
Where: Warren County
Coordinates: 41.780, -79.300

Hail, Tioga

When: May 31, 8:20 PM CST
Where: Tioga County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.750, -77.280

Hail, McKean

When: May 31, 8:30 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.780, -78.620

Hail, Cameron

When: May 31, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Cameron County
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.430, -78.200

Thunderstorm Wind, Cameron

When: May 31, 8:30 PM CST
Where: Cameron County
Coordinates: 41.430, -78.200

Thunderstorm Wind, McKean

When: May 31, 8:30 PM CST
Where: McKean County
Coordinates: 41.780, -78.620

Hail, Tioga

When: May 31, 8:32 PM CST
Where: Tioga County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.680, -77.070

Thunderstorm Wind, Tioga

When: May 31, 8:32 PM CST
Where: Tioga County
Coordinates: 41.750, -77.280

Tornado, Luzerne

When: May 31, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Luzerne County
Rating: F1
Path length: 11 mi
Path width: 530 yd
Property damage: $250,000
Coordinates: 41.070, -76.130

Hail, Potter

When: May 31, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Potter County
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Coordinates: 41.770, -78.020

Thunderstorm Wind, Potter

When: May 31, 8:45 PM CST
Where: Potter County
Coordinates: 41.770, -78.020

Tornado, Monroe

When: May 31, 10:05 PM CST
Where: Monroe County
Rating: F1
Path length: 0.2 mi
Path width: 17 yd
Property damage: $3,000
Coordinates: 41.180, -75.430

Thunderstorm Wind, Columbia

When: May 31, 10:50 PM CST
Where: Columbia County
Coordinates: 41.050, -76.380

Hail, Carbon

When: May 31, 11:45 PM CST
Where: Carbon County
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 40.920, -75.700

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Tornado, Crawford	1985-05-31				Direct

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air in contact with the ground and extending from a thunderstorm, filed with its path, width and Fujita or Enhanced Fujita rating from the damage survey.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Pennsylvania in 1985 Every state in 1985 This day in weather history The tornado archive for Pennsylvania, 1985

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 10115962, 10115963, 10115964, 10115965, 10115966, 10115967, 10115968, 10115969, 10115970, 10115971, 10115972, 10115973, 10115974, 10115975, 10115976, 10116824, 10116825, 10116826, 10116827, 10116828, 10116829, 10116830, 10116831, 10116832, 10116833, 10116834, 10116835, 10116836, 10117048, 10117049, 10117050, 10117051, 10117052, 10117053, 10117054, 10117055, 10117056, 10117057, 10117058, 10117059, and more.