The May 31, 1985 tornado

F4Warren, McKean and Elk counties, Pennsylvania

An F4 tornado on a 29.0-mile path that killed 4 and injured 40. It was one of 30 tornadoes recorded in the U.S. that day, 15 of them rated F3/EF3 or stronger.

Watch how it happened Part of the outbreak of May 31, 1985: 30 tornadoes in 3 states

F4 tornado · May 31, 1985

How it happened

Follow the tornado’s path, minute by minute.

About this replay

Local time (CST)—Historical replay — logged times

Distance—of 29.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF4

The tornado

Rating: F4; Fujita scale
Path length: 29.0 mi; Width up to 1,000 yards
Killed: 4; Along the whole path
Injured: 40; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 31, 1985; 6:00 PM CST
That day: 30; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Warren CountyPA
McKean CountyPA
Elk CountyPA

Other notable tornadoes that day

F4, Ashtabula County12 killed
F4, Mercer County16 killed
F4, Erie County28 mi
F5, Portage County18 killed
F4, Venango County7 killed
F4, Clearfield County69 mi
F3, Beaver County9 killed
F3, Lycoming County6 killed

Storm Prediction Center severe weather database. Path drawn as a straight line from the recorded start to end point.