Wilkinsburg, PA Tornado History — 70 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Wilkinsburg, PA had?
Wilkinsburg has had 70 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Wilkinsburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wilkinsburg was an EF1 on May 21, 2025.
When is tornado season in Wilkinsburg?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wilkinsburg, with 24 on record. April through June account for 41 of the 70 tornadoes on record near Wilkinsburg.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Wilkinsburg
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 32 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Wilkinsburg since December 29, 2025
These are 3 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Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete.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.
Corrects previous tornado report from 1 SSE Orchard Hills. NWS Storm Survey confirms an EF-0 tornado with maximum wind of 85 mph in Orchard Hills. (PBZ)
The National Weather Service Storm Damage Survey confirmed a tornado occurred just off Boy Scout Camp Road in far southern Westmoreland County. Details remain unknown a (PBZ)
The National Weather Survey Storm Damage Surveyed confirmed a tornado occurred just southeast of Ellsworth... PA. Tornado details remain unknown as the survey continues (PBZ)
Within 25 miles of Wilkinsburg. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
What storm spotters reported near Wilkinsburg
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Wilkinsburg 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 Wilkinsburg totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
Tornado confirmed with damage noted near the Gastonville area. (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 Wilkinsburg
12 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wilkinsburg since 1950, across 3 events. 420 injuries have been reported across all events. 1985 was the deadliest year on record near Wilkinsburg.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on May 31, 1985, which caused 9 fatalities along a 39.0-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Wilkinsburg
What the record shows near Wilkinsburg
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Wilkinsburg, with 20 of the 70 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Wilkinsburg record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Wilkinsburg, 53 reached EF0 or EF1 and 16 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wilkinsburg is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged. A further 1 near Wilkinsburg is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.
Across the last 20 years Wilkinsburg has averaged 1.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 32 in total. 2024 was the busiest of them with 12, and 9 of those years passed with none at all.