New Castle, PA Tornado History — 84 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has New Castle, PA had?
New Castle has had 84 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near New Castle?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of New Castle was an EF0 on May 21, 2025.
When is tornado season in New Castle?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near New Castle, with 24 on record. April through June account for 36 of the 84 tornadoes on record near New Castle.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near New Castle
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 28 total, averaging 1.4 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near New Castle since December 29, 2025
These are 6 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Trees down... out buildings damaged... roof damage. Strong radar circulation went right over this location on Yellow Creek Road just south of Kotchey Lane. (PBZ)
EF0 tornado confirmed along Evergreen Road just south of US 422. Tree damage and minor roof damage to a home. Time estimated by radar. (PBZ)
An NWS survey team confirms a brief EF-1 tornado occurred in Canfield Township with max wind speeds of 95 mph. (CLE)
EF0 confirmed tornado. Estimated max wind 85 mph. (PBZ)
NWS storm survey determined damage consistent with an EF0 tornado and maximum wind of 85 mph. (PBZ)
(PBZ)
Within 25 miles of New Castle. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near New Castle
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of New Castle and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 21, 2025 and the most recent on May 21, 2025. It is already counted in the New Castle totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
EF0 confirmed tornado due to tree damage. (PBZ)
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 New Castle
31 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of New Castle since 1950, across 5 events. 508 injuries have been reported across all events. 1985 was the deadliest year on record near New Castle.
The deadliest single event was an F5 on May 31, 1985, which caused 18 fatalities along a 47.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near New Castle
What the record shows near New Castle
The 1990s were the busiest decade near New Castle, with 19 of the 84 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 13 so far. The New Castle record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near New Castle, 63 reached EF0 or EF1 and 20 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near New Castle is rated EF5, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near New Castle is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years New Castle has averaged 1.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 28 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 5, and 5 of those years passed with none at all.