Four tornadoes confirmed in central Pennsylvania, including EF2 in Huntingdon County
Four tornadoes touched down across central Pennsylvania on July 18, 2026, as a line of severe thunderstorms crossed the region, according to National Weather Service damage surveys. The tornadoes included one EF2, two EF1s, and one EF0, producing damage in Huntingdon, Clearfield, Jefferson, and Clarion counties. Despite considerable damage to forests, farms and other structures, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Trailer rolled over by an EF1 tornado near Houtzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that four tornadoes touched down across central Pennsylvania during severe thunderstorms on July 18, including an EF2 tornado in Huntingdon County with estimated peak winds of 201 km/h (125 mph).
Damage surveys documented significant damage to trees, agricultural buildings, silos, power lines, and other structures in Huntingdon, Clearfield, Jefferson, and Clarion counties.
The strongest tornado touched down approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) north-northeast of Spruce Creek in Huntingdon County at about 20:43 EDT on July 18. It was rated EF2, with estimated peak winds of 201 km/h (125 mph).
The tornado remained on the ground for approximately two minutes, carving a path 0.85 km (0.53 miles) long with a maximum width of 457 m (1 500 feet) before lifting at around 20:45 EDT.
Survey teams documented numerous snapped and uprooted hardwood trees, damage to several agricultural buildings, multiple damaged silos, and an occupied cabin. No injuries or fatalities were reported along the tornado path.
Strong downburst winds first knocked down several pine trees more than 200 years old along Huntingdon Furnace Road, along with smaller trees in an adjacent farm field, shortly before tornadic circulation developed.
The first structural damage occurred at a farm where the roof of the oldest of three large silos was partially blown off toward the northeast, displaying a cyclonic wind pattern. The southern half of a large barn roof collapsed and was blown toward the northeast, while another barn lost several sheets of tin roofing that were carried into an adjacent field.
The tornado then tracked east-southeast, roughly paralleling Warriors Mark Run and Old Mill Road while moving up a small ridge. Survey teams documented hundreds of trees snapped approximately 6 to 9 m (20 to 30 feet) above ground or uprooted along the damage path. Trees to the right of the tornado path were thrown eastward, while those on the left side fell toward the northwest, a convergent damage pattern that confirmed tornadic circulation.
Several cabins were located within the densely wooded area crossed by the tornado. One occupied cabin sustained damage after a tree fell onto one side of the structure while two residents in their 80s were sheltering inside. They were located on the opposite side of the cabin and escaped without injury. Other nearby cabins were not damaged, although fallen trees temporarily prevented occupants from entering or leaving until debris removal operations were completed.
The tornado continued east-southeast toward Camp Kanesatake before lifting as it crossed Old Mill Road near the northern edge of the camp. Sporadic tree damage was observed farther downstream near Camp K, but survey teams determined it was not sufficiently concentrated to extend the official tornado track.
EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS- EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
- EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
- EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
A second tornado, rated EF1, touched down south of Houtzdale in the Whiteside area of Clearfield County at 20:16 EDT on July 18.
The tornado produced estimated peak winds of 177 km/h (110 mph), tracked approximately 1.61 km (1.00 mile) with a maximum width of approximately 366 m (1 200 feet), and remained on the ground until about 20:18 EDT.
The damage path began near the northwestern end of Gum Street before continuing east-southeast toward Morann Avenue (PA-153). Survey teams documented snapped pine trees, minor structural damage, extensive tree and power line damage along Morann Avenue, North Railroad Street and Hale Road, and damage consistent with a high-end EF1 tornado.
A single-wide mobile home and a nearby vehicle were shifted slightly toward the northeast as the circulation passed. Near the intersection of North Railroad Street and Hale Road, a chimney was torn from a residence, while several trees fell opposite the direction of storm motion. The convergent tree-fall pattern provided survey teams with sufficient evidence to assign winds near the upper end of the EF1 range.
Despite extensive forest damage, structural impacts remained relatively limited. Dozens to perhaps hundreds of trees were snapped or uprooted in forested areas southeast of North Railroad Street and southwest of Hale Road. A local camp owner reported that tree loss had opened a previously obstructed view of the mountain to the northwest. Survey teams noted little or no damage to campers or cabins within the camp despite widespread tree damage.
The tornado briefly stopped producing damage while crossing an open field before causing additional tree and power line damage along Hale Road toward Sonia Lane.
- EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
- EF1 tornado damage in Houthzdale on July 18, 2026. Credit: NWS
A third tornado, also rated EF1, touched down near Summerville along the Clarion-Jefferson county line. Survey teams estimated peak winds of 145 km/h (90 mph) and noted localized tree damage and other minor impacts.
The fourth tornado, rated EF0, touched down near Graffius Avenue in the Punxsutawney area of Jefferson County, producing relatively minor tornado damage.
The tornadoes developed as a line of severe thunderstorms moved across central Pennsylvania during the evening of July 18.
The NWS office in State College issued a Tornado Warning for north-central Huntingdon County at 20:43 EDT on July 18 after radar detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near Franklinville moving southeast.
References:
1 Public Information Statement – NWS – July 20, 2026
2 Severe Weather of July 18th, 2026 – NWS – July 19, 2026
3 NWS confirms four tornados in Central Pennsylvania, including EF-2 in Huntingdon County – WJAC – July 20, 2026
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.