Chester, PA Tornado History — 91 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Chester, PA had?
Chester has had 91 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Chester?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Chester was an EF1 on May 16, 2025.
When is tornado season in Chester?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Chester, with 23 on record. April through June account for 22 of the 91 tornadoes on record near Chester.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Chester
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 20 total, averaging 1.0 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Chester since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
A brief tornado occurred in East Caln Township. The first damage was noted just south of the intersection of East Lancaster Avenue and Quarry Road... where several smal (PHI)
Within 25 miles of Chester. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Chester
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Chester and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 16, 2025 and the most recent on May 16, 2025. It is already counted in the Chester totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Delayed Report...Updated starting location and track and increased intensity of Collings Lakes tornado. The EF-1 tornado originated in Williamstown near the intersectio (PHI)
Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Tornadoes by Decade
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.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Chester
4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Chester since 1950, across 4 events. 80 injuries have been reported across all events. 2021 was the deadliest year on record near Chester.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on March 22, 1955, which caused 1 fatality along a 9.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Chester
What the record shows near Chester
The 1990s were the busiest decade near Chester, with 25 of the 91 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 10 so far. The Chester record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Chester, 71 reached EF0 or EF1 and 20 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Chester is rated EF3, of which 4 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Chester has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2019 was the busiest of them with 5, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.