The May 31, 1985 tornado

F5Portage, Trumbull and Mercer counties, Ohio and Pennsylvania

An F5 tornado on a 47.0-mile path that killed 18 and injured 310. 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

F5 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 47.0 miles

Now in—

RatingF5

Path milestones

Damage pathWidened for visibility; recorded maximum width 450 yards

TownsSized by population today; those within 3 miles flash as it passes

Counties on the pathLit as the tornado enters them

Source: Storm Prediction Center start and end points. Times as logged by the National Weather Service. Towns are today’s Census places.

The tornado

Rating: F5; Fujita scale
Path length: 47.0 mi; Width up to 450 yards
Killed: 18; Along the whole path
Injured: 310; Along the whole path
Date and time: Friday, May 31, 1985; 4:30 PM CST
That day: 30; tornadoes in the U.S.; every one, with a replay of the day

Counties on its path

Other notable tornadoes that day

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