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Bethel Park, PA Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950

Pennsylvania · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Bethel Park, PA had?

Bethel Park has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.

When was the most recent tornado near Bethel Park?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bethel Park was an EF0 on May 21, 2025.

When is tornado season in Bethel Park?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bethel Park, with 20 on record. April through June account for 35 of the 58 tornadoes on record near Bethel Park.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
58
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
1
1.7% of total
Peak Month
June
20 on record
Per Year Avg
0.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Bethel Park

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 30 total, averaging 1.5 per year over this window.

2026 0+3 prelim
2025 2
2024 12
2023 1
2022 0
2021 6
2020 1
2019 0
2018 1
2017 2
2016 1
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 2
2011 1
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 1

Striped bars mark preliminary reports not yet confirmed by NWS survey — excluded from the confirmed counts.

Preliminary tornado reports near Bethel Park since December 29, 2025

These are 3 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.

Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.

Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.

Preliminary June 8, 2026
1 E Centerville, Washington County, PA
NWS storm survey confirms a brief tornado near the end of Conti Road. Rating and other details to be determined. (PBZ)
Preliminary June 6, 2026
4 ESE Smithton, Westmoreland County, PA
The National Weather Service Storm Damage Survey confirmed a tornado occurred just off Boy Scout Camp Road in far southern Westmoreland County. Details remain unknown a (PBZ)
Preliminary June 6, 2026
1 SSE Ellsworth, Washington County, PA
The National Weather Survey Storm Damage Surveyed confirmed a tornado occurred just southeast of Ellsworth... PA. Tornado details remain unknown as the survey continues (PBZ)

Within 25 miles of Bethel Park. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.

What storm spotters reported near Bethel Park

2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Bethel Park and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 21, 2025 and the most recent on May 21, 2025. They are already counted in the Bethel Park totals above; quoted below is the narrative each reporting office filed at the time.

May 21, 2025
Finleyville, Washington County, PA
Tornado confirmed with damage noted near the Gastonville area. (PBZ)
EF0° May 21, 2025
2 N Buffalo, Washington County, PA
Based on damage reports provided to NWS... a brief EF0 tornado (max wind 65 mph) began near Oakleaf Rd... crossed Willow Rd and likely weakened toward Lynn Portal Rd. D (PBZ)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 5
1960s 1
1970s 9
1980s 6
1990s 6
2000s 2
2010s 7
2020s 22

Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating

F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.

EF0 18
EF1 28
EF2 10
EF3 1
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 2
May 13
Jun 20
Jul 6
Aug 5
Sep 3
Oct 6
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Bethel Park

2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bethel Park since 1950, across 1 event. 144 injuries have been reported across all events. 1963 was the deadliest year on record near Bethel Park.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on August 3, 1963, which caused 2 fatalities along a 0.1-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Bethel Park

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on August 3, 1963 — 2 fatalities, 0.1 mi path, 10 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F3 on August 3, 1963 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF2 on October 21, 2021 — 700 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on June 4, 1975 — 45.3 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on May 21, 2025.

What the record shows near Bethel Park

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Bethel Park, with 22 of the 58 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Bethel Park record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Bethel Park, 46 reached EF0 or EF1 and 11 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Bethel Park is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Bethel Park is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Bethel Park has averaged 1.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 30 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 12, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Bethel Park, PA had?
Since 1950, 58 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Bethel Park. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Bethel Park?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Bethel Park was an F3 on August 3, 1963, which caused 2 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Bethel Park?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bethel Park, with 20 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Bethel Park?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bethel Park was an EF0 on May 21, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Bethel Park?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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