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Bethlehem, PA Tornado History — 57 Tornadoes Since 1950

Pennsylvania · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Bethlehem, PA had?

Bethlehem has had 57 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Bethlehem?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bethlehem was an EF1 on May 6, 2025.

When is tornado season in Bethlehem?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bethlehem, with 20 on record. April through June account for 15 of the 57 tornadoes on record near Bethlehem.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
57
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
3.5% of total
Peak Month
July
20 on record
Per Year Avg
0.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Bethlehem

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 18 total, averaging 0.9 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 0
2023 3
2022 1
2021 4
2020 1
2019 2
2018 1
2017 0
2016 1
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 0
2011 1
2010 1
2009 1
2008 1
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Bethlehem

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Bethlehem and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 6, 2025 and the most recent on May 6, 2025. It is already counted in the Bethlehem totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

May 6, 2025
1 S Bangor, Northampton County, PA
Several videos received via social media confirm a tornado occurred near Route 191 south of Bangor. Time estimated. (PHI)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 2
1970s 9
1980s 14
1990s 10
2000s 3
2010s 6
2020s 10

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 15
EF1 28
EF2 12
EF3 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 1
Feb 1
Mar 2
Apr 2
May 7
Jun 6
Jul 20
Aug 10
Sep 2
Oct 2
Nov 4
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Bethlehem been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Bethlehem from any of the 57 tornadoes since 1950, though 38 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Bethlehem

Costliest Tornado
F1 on August 11, 1983 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F0 on July 14, 1985 — 660 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF2 on August 4, 2020 — 20.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on May 6, 2025.

What the record shows near Bethlehem

The 1980s were the busiest decade near Bethlehem, with 14 of the 57 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 10 so far. The Bethlehem record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Bethlehem, 43 reached EF0 or EF1 and 14 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Bethlehem is rated EF3, of which 2 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Bethlehem has averaged 0.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 18 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 4, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Bethlehem, PA had?
Since 1950, 57 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Bethlehem. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Bethlehem?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bethlehem, 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 Bethlehem?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bethlehem was an EF1 on May 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Bethlehem?
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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