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Harrisburg, PA Tornado History — 76 Tornadoes Since 1950

Pennsylvania · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Harrisburg, PA had?

Harrisburg has had 76 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Harrisburg?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Harrisburg was an EF1 on August 9, 2024.

When is tornado season in Harrisburg?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Harrisburg, with 16 on record. April through June account for 34 of the 76 tornadoes on record near Harrisburg.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
76
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
3.9% of total
Peak Month
July
16 on record
Per Year Avg
1.0
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Harrisburg

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 20 total, averaging 1.0 per year over this window.

2026 0+1 prelim
2025 0
2024 1
2023 2
2022 1
2021 2
2020 0
2019 2
2018 2
2017 1
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 0
2011 7
2010 1
2009 0
2008 1
2007 0

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

Preliminary tornado reports near Harrisburg 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.

Preliminary EF1° July 5, 2026
4 WSW Marysville, Perry County, PA
EF1 tornado occurred in Lambs Gap near Marysville... PA. (CTP)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 6
1960s 7
1970s 8
1980s 5
1990s 16
2000s 15
2010s 13
2020s 6

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 19
EF1 35
EF2 19
EF3 3

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 1
Mar 5
Apr 12
May 12
Jun 10
Jul 16
Aug 12
Sep 3
Oct 3
Nov 1
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Harrisburg

1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Harrisburg since 1950, across 1 event. 44 injuries have been reported across all events. 2006 was the deadliest year on record near Harrisburg.

The deadliest single event was an F1 on December 1, 2006, which caused 1 fatality along a 1.5-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Harrisburg

Deadliest Tornado
F1 on December 1, 2006 — 1 fatality, 1.5 mi path, 75 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F2 on October 9, 1992 — est. ~$2.8M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F2 on July 2, 1970 — 1,760 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on July 29, 1961 — 22.2 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on August 9, 2024.

What the record shows near Harrisburg

The 1990s were the busiest decade near Harrisburg, with 16 of the 76 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Harrisburg record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Harrisburg, 54 reached EF0 or EF1 and 22 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Harrisburg is rated EF3, of which 3 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Harrisburg has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 7, and 10 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Harrisburg, PA had?
Since 1950, 76 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Harrisburg. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Harrisburg?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Harrisburg was an F1 on December 1, 2006, which caused 1 fatality.
When is tornado season in Harrisburg?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Harrisburg, with 16 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 Harrisburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Harrisburg was an EF1 on August 9, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Harrisburg?
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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