NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Sugarloaf, PA
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
15 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania since 1851, 2 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Isaias in 2020. Since 1950, 39 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 2
- Tropical storms
- 13
- Tornadoes
- 39
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
no recorded deaths
What the records show for Sugarloaf
The strongest storm to pass near Sugarloaf was an unnamed storm in 1878, a Category 1 hurricane with 83 mph winds when its centre passed 15 miles away. The record near Sugarloaf begins with an unnamed storm in 1878; the most recent system was Isaias in 2020, a tropical storm 51 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1950s, with 3 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 15 systems, one has come since 2000. Sugarloaf has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 54% of the 794 Pennsylvania cities on this site. The highest rating among the 39 tornadoes within 25 miles is F2 or EF2, reached 9 times; the most recent, on April 14, 2019, came within 21 miles. Of the 39, 3 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 14 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 9. The most recent tornado was on May 27, 2024. Of the 794 Pennsylvania cities, 82% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Sugarloaf. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 29 times since 1976, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 794 Pennsylvania cities, 73% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Sugarloaf.
Compare Sugarloaf's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Sugarloaf
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 51 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 6 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | HazelOct 16 | 70 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1933 | Unnamed 1933 stormAug 24 | 38 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 3 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1903 | Unnamed 1903 stormSep 17 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1885 | Unnamed 1885 stormOct 14 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 15 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 2 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Sugarloaf: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Sugarloaf
By decade
- 2020s2
- 2010s8
- 2000s4
- 1990s6
- 1980s9
- 1970s4
- 1960s4
- 1950s2
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 21 mi | 3.69 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 22 mi | 2.9 mi | 0 / 6 |
| Feb 25, 2017 | EF2 | 25 mi | 12.52 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Dec 1, 2006 | F2 | 6 mi | 20 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Jul 15, 1992 | F2 | 9 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Jul 6, 1984 | F2 | 20 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 12 |
| Apr 17, 1982 | F2 | 21 mi | 4 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jul 26, 1981 | F2 | 12 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 10, 1968 | F2 | 7 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 27, 2024 | EF1 | 12 mi | 1.53 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 12, 2023 | EF1 | 4 mi | 3.25 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 26, 2012 | EF1 | 10 mi | 0.52 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 39, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Sugarloaf
The Storm Prediction Center has 29 hail reports within 10 miles of Sugarloaf since 1976, made on 17 separate days. Of these, 14 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 3 days, most recently August 17, 2007. The most recent report is from July 3, 2025. July has the most reports, 9.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Sugarloaf
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Mahanoy City 2 N, PA, 11 miles south of Sugarloaf at 1,710 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 80°F and low of 61°F; January is the coolest, at 33°F and 18°F. July and September are the wettest at 5.2 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.0 inches; the year adds up to 53.7 inches over 96 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (29.2 of 53.7 inches); the other six months are drier. August has brought the most of the 15 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (7); a normal August there has highs of 78°F and 4.7 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 2 days a year, almost all from July. Lows fall below freezing on about 139 nights a year. Snowfall averages 48.0 inches a year, most of it in February. That 53.7 inches is more than at 145 of the 148 Pennsylvania stations used on this site (98%). Wapwallopen, 8 miles north, has its own station (Benton 3 NE, PA): 48.6 inches a year, 5.1 less than here, and the same July average high, 80°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 18 | 3.9 | 8 | 12.3 |
| Feb | 35 | 18 | 3.0 | 7 | 12.7 |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 4.2 | 8 | 9.2 |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 4.4 | 9 | 2.1 |
| May | 67 | 47 | 4.7 | 10 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 76 | 56 | 5.1 | 9 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 80 | 61 | 5.2 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 78 | 58 | 4.7 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 72 | 52 | 5.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 60 | 41 | 4.9 | 8 | 0.5 |
| Nov | 48 | 31 | 4.1 | 7 | 2.2 |
| Dec | 37 | 23 | 4.3 | 8 | 9.0 |
| Year | 57 | 39 | 53.7 | 96 | 48.0 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Mahanoy City 2 N, PA (1,710 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Sugarloaf
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 104 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Sugarloaf: 89 thunderstorm wind reports, 13 flash floods and 2 floods. None is recorded as killing or injuring anyone; the NWS estimated $2.2 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 81 mph, on September 13, 2021. September has had the most flash floods, 5 of 13. Of the 788 Pennsylvania cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 224 have had fewer than Sugarloaf.
September 7, 2011: flash flood 7 miles from the centre of Sugarloaf — $1.0 million damage.
July 21, 1998: thunderstorm wind 2 miles from the centre of Sugarloaf — $400,000 damage.
NWS: “A thunderstorm intensified over extreme southern portions of the county early in the afternoon. Severe downburst winds caused extensive damage in a swath from Conyngham southeastward towards West Hazleton.”
June 30, 1998: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Sugarloaf — $150,000 damage.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Luzerne County, which includes Sugarloaf, has been named in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1972, 16 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 6 floods, 5 severe storms, 3 snowstorms). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on September 10, 2021. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Luzerne County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for inland flooding and lightning; Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, tornadoes, strong wind and heat waves; Relatively Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $88.0 million a year, the 13th highest of 67 Pennsylvania counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $63.8 million (73%), is from inland flooding.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.
Cities near Sugarloaf
- Hazle Township, PA6 mi
- Drums, PA6 mi
- Hazleton, PA6 mi
- Nescopeck, PA7 mi
- Wapwallopen, PA8 mi
- Mcadoo, PA8 mi
- Berwick, PA9 mi
- Freeland, PA10 mi
- Ringtown, PA11 mi
- Mahanoy City, PA12 mi
- Barnesville, PA13 mi
- Shenandoah, PA13 mi
All Pennsylvania cities →All hurricanes since 1851 →Compare Sugarloaf with another place →