Tornadoes of 1985
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.
 F5 damage to a shopping center from Niles/Wheatland tornado. | |
| Timespan | January–December 1985 |
|---|---|
| Maximum rated tornado | F5 tornado
|
| Tornadoes in U.S. | 684[1] |
| Damage (U.S.) | unknown |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 94[2] |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | >94 |
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.
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 308 | 259 | 79 | 29 | 10 | 1 | 684 |
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.
March 11
An F2 tornado hit Hollister, California causing no injuries.
March 17
An F3 tornado killed two in Sarasota County, Florida.
April
There were 134 tornadoes confirmed in the US in April.
April 21
An F3 tornado in Texas resulted in three fatalities.
May
There were 182 tornadoes confirmed in the US in May.
May 31
| FU | F0 | F1 | F2 | F3 | F4 | F5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 1 |
A major tornado outbreak occurred in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario on the last day of May. 44 tornadoes were confirmed, including 14 in Ontario. It is the largest and most intense tornado outbreak ever to hit this region. 90 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, Pennsylvania. Yourga Trucking in Wheatland was hit beyond recognition in addition to the Amish community in Atlantic. Wheatland had 310 injuries and 18 fatalities while Atlantic had 125 and 16.
June
There were 82 tornadoes confirmed in the US in June.
July
There were 51 tornadoes confirmed in the US in July.
August
There were 108 tornadoes confirmed in the US in August.
August 16
An F3 tornado spawned by Hurricane Danny struck Waco, Tennessee, and produced a damage swath that was 500 yards wide, making it the largest hurricane-spawned tornado ever recorded.
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.
November 18
An F3 tornado killed three in Arkansas.
December
There were 3 tornadoes confirmed in the US in December.
See also
- Tornado
- Tornadoes by year
- Tornado records
- Tornado climatology
- Tornado myths
- List of tornado outbreaks
- List of F5 and EF5 tornadoes
- List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of 21st-century Canadian tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of European tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks in Asia
- List of Southern Hemisphere tornadoes and tornado outbreaks
- List of tornadoes striking downtown areas
- Tornado intensity
References
- "U.S. Annual Tornado Maps (1952 - 2011): 1985 Tornadoes". Storm Prediction Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- "Tornadoes in 1985". Tornado History Project. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
