30th Anniversary: Tornado Outbreak May 31, 1985

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of May 31^st 1985 tornado outbreak that affected parts of Ohio (OH), Pennsylvania (PA) and Western New York (WNY) producing 43 tornadoes. This event was fueled by a very unstable atmosphere favorable for tornadic activity as storms formed along and ahead of a potent late spring cold front. Tornado activity across WNY was confined to Southern Chautauqua County with multiple reports of large hail and wind damage all across WNY with the frontal passage. A total of two tornadoes were produced as the cold front swept across WNY producing an F3 and F4 and were part of the worst outbreak in this area since 1944.

The National Severe Storms Forecast Center in Kansas City, Missouri (now the Storm Prediction Center (SPC)) issued Tornado Watch #211 prior to the severe weather outbreak across the region. Later that evening, the first of the two tornadoes (F4) entered Chautauqua County. The tornado passed by to the south of the town of Clymer and then moved northeast before dissipating near Panama, NY. This tornado covered a total of 28 miles with most of the significant damage occurring towards the end of the path. The tornado had winds in excess of 200 mph at times as it traveled across the area. Along its path, this tornado averaged 250 yards wide and briefly expanded to a quarter mile wide as it moved over the rough terrain of Chautauqua County. The second tornado (F3) formed near Busti, NY and moved northeast before dissipating near the town of Poland.

Eye witness accounts of the tornado detailed several smaller vortices circling about the main funnel. There were multiple accounts noting an anticyclonic rotation (clockwise). Damage from the tornado was estimated at over 3 million dollars to structures, excluding the damages to vehicles, livestock, a church (which was reduced to rubble), several businesses and personal property. In addition, thousands of trees were destroyed. There were no deaths associated with this tornado outbreak in WNY but there were several injuries.

Following the tornado several eyewitness reported some interesting accounts and stories:

Report of U.S Government Saving Bonds falling from the sky in Olean, NY (Cattaraugus County) with an Ohio address.
Papers from Albion, PA falling over Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake.
Tree debris (leaves) falling out of the sky over Jamestown, NY.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Buffalo, NY used radar, spotter reports and upstream tornado history to issued timely warnings. During the course of the evening hours, 7 additional warnings were issued across Buffalo’s area of responsibility. Numerous reports of large hail (up to 2 inches), high winds, down trees, and power lines were also reported. It was noted that at least 90% of those that were interviewed during the storm survey heard either the Watch or Warning issued by the NWS.

–One individual in the hard hit village of Busti stated: the warning may have saved her life and her children because they knew it was coming and took shelter in the interior room. Furthermore, she stated that the low injury and zero deaths might largely be due to the advanced warning!

If you would like to learn more about the severe weather and tornado outbreak across Ohio and Pennsylvania, join the National Weather Service (NWS), State College, PA for a live Tweet May 31st 2015. State College will be showcasing information about the outbreak and technology advances with NWS warning systems. You can learn more at www.weather.gov/ctp/TornadoOutbreak_may311985 and can follow this event on Facebook and Twitter using #1985Outbreak. Live tweeting will begin Sunday, May 31^st 2015 at 4:15 PM through 11:00 PM.