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Scranton, PA Tornado History — 46 Tornadoes Since 1950

Pennsylvania · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Scranton, PA had?

Scranton has had 46 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.

When was the most recent tornado near Scranton?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Scranton was an EF0 on July 2, 2023.

When is tornado season in Scranton?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Scranton, with 12 on record. April through June account for 22 of the 46 tornadoes on record near Scranton.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
46
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
1
2.2% of total
Peak Month
July
12 on record
Per Year Avg
0.6
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Scranton

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

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

Preliminary tornado reports near Scranton 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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 EF0° July 21, 2026
2 WSW South Canaan, Wayne County, PA
NWS Survey confirms a brief small EF0. It took out several well-established apple trees in an orchard... while causing siding and soffit damage to a couple houses as we (BGM)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 1
1960s 1
1970s 1
1980s 5
1990s 16
2000s 4
2010s 17
2020s 1

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 17
EF1 19
EF2 9
EF3 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 1
Feb 1
Mar 0
Apr 5
May 11
Jun 6
Jul 12
Aug 3
Sep 3
Oct 2
Nov 1
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Scranton

2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Scranton since 1950, across 1 event. 27 injuries have been reported across all events. 1998 was the deadliest year on record near Scranton.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on June 2, 1998, which caused 2 fatalities along a 26.0-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Scranton

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on June 2, 1998 — 2 fatalities, 26.0 mi path, 500 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF2 on June 13, 2018 — $5.0M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F2 on May 31, 1998 — 550 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on June 2, 1998 — 26.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on July 2, 2023.

What the record shows near Scranton

The 2010s were the busiest decade near Scranton, with 17 of the 46 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 1 so far. The Scranton record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Scranton, 36 reached EF0 or EF1 and 10 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Scranton is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Scranton has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 4, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Scranton, PA had?
Since 1950, 46 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Scranton. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Scranton?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Scranton was an F3 on June 2, 1998, which caused 2 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Scranton?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Scranton, with 12 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 Scranton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Scranton was an EF0 on July 2, 2023.
How do I get tornado warnings for Scranton?
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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