Timespan January–December 1985 Damage (U.S.) unknown Fatalities (worldwide) >94 | Tornadoes in U.S. 684 Fatalities (U.S.) 94 | |
 | ||
Maximum rated tornado F5 tornado
Niles, Ohio–Wheatland, Pennsylvania
on May 31 | ||
This page documents the tornadoes and tornado outbreaks of 1985, primarily in the United States. Most tornadoes form in the U.S., although some events may take place internationally. Tornado statistics for older years like this often appear significantly lower than modern years due to fewer reports or confirmed tornadoes.
Contents
Synopsis
The tornado season of 1985 saw very little action in the winter months, and even the spring wasn't particularly notable until the massive May 31 outbreak, one of the most intense and deadliest in modern American history, which saw 43 tornadoes kill 88 people in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Ontario, Canada. All eight of 1985's F4 tornadoes and the one F5 tornado happened during this outbreak.
Events
Confirmed tornado total for the entire year 1985 in the United States.
January
There were 2 tornadoes confirmed in the US in January.
February
There were 7 tornadoes confirmed in the US in February.
March
There were 38 tornadoes confirmed in the US in March. On March 11, an F2 tornado hit Hollister, California causing no injuries and on March 17, an F3 tornado killed two in Sarasota County, Florida.
April
There were 134 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April. On April 21, an F3 tornado in Texas resulted in three fatalities.
May
There were 182 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May.
May 31
The 1985 United States-Canadian tornado outbreak was a major tornado outbreak that occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario, on May 31, 1985. Forty-four tornadoes were counted including 14 in Ontario. It is the largest and most intense tornado outbreak ever to hit this region. Ninety people were killed and nine tornadoes were F4 or stronger, including the F5 Niles-Wheatland tornado.
Areas with the most devastation and deaths were Wheatland, Atlantic, and Albion PA. Yourga Trucking in Wheatland was hit beyond recognition in addition to the Amish community in Atlantic. Wheatland had 310 injuries and 18 fatalities, and Atlantic had 125 and 16.
June
There were 82 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June. On June 8, tornadoes killed two in Wisconsin and one in Michigan.
July
There were 51 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July.
August
There were 108 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August. On August 16, an F3 Tornado spawned by Hurricane Danny, struck Waco, Tennessee and produced a damage path of 500 yards wide making the tornado the largest hurricane spawned tornado.
September
There were 40 tornadoes confirmed in the US in September.
October
There were 18 tornadoes confirmed in the US in October.
November
There were 19 tornadoes confirmed in the US in November. On November 18, an F3 tornado killed three in Arkansas.
December
There were 3 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.