Pennsylvania Weather Review: June 2026
Pennsylvania Weather Review: June 2026
Much of June didn't feel like summer with low dewpoints and cool temperatures. However, the severe weather, particularly the tornadic activity, was very active in the Keystone State. I break down all the details below!
June Highlights
The month started off quiet with little to no precipitation through the first 5 days of the month. All of Pennsylvania did not record any measurable precipitation for a 9 to 11 day stretch. Temperatures were also warming up with highs in the 80s & 90s by the 5th. Philadelphia would record the 3rd heatwave of the year on the 4th through 7th.
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| Number of consecutive days without measurable precipitation as of June 5th. Source. |
The first of multiple active severe weather days came on the 6th. Thunderstorm wind damage was most widespread to the south. At one point 134,000 customers were without power. Additionally the first tornadoes of the year impacted Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties in southwest PA. In total 6 tornadoes touched down on the 6th, all rated EF1. It may have been a late start to the tornado season but it was just getting started.
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It would start feeling a bit more like summer on the 9th as dewpoints climbed well into the 60s. Remnant storms from severe weather in the Great Lakes region moved through western & into central Pennsylvania early on the morning of the 11th before slowly dying off. Another line of storms would cross the state later in the day bringing widespread wind damage across the commonwealth and some isolated flooding.
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| Map of severe weather warnings and reports on June 11, 2026. |
A third severe weather event on the 14th brought more wind damage and an outbreak of tornadoes. In total 16 Tornado Warnings were issued (5th most for a single day in the state and most since 2019) with 15 tornadoes touching down. Straight line wind was also widespread once again, most concentrated in western Pennsylvania. Some flash flooding was also observed in southeast portions of the state.
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| Map of severe weather warnings, reports, and tornadoes on June 14, 2026. |
The trend of cooler weather continued with cool morning low temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s. The morning of the 16th was one of the coldest at least this late in the year. Temperatures dropped into the 40s for the majority of the state and Bradford recorded a low of 36°! The coolness continued and was accompanied with an unusual breezy period. Jackets were needed in the shade midday given the low humidity and strong breezes. A Wind Advisory was issued for the Laurel Highlands and surrounding counties on the 18th. This is the first time that a Wind Advisory has ever been issued in Pennsylvania during the month of June!
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The last full week brought more of the cooler than average temperatures and precipitation. Storms and some flooding impacted the state on the 22nd. Additionally, one tornado touched down in Fayette County. The showers & storms continued from the 25th through 28th. It was notably damp and dreary during this period with fog which felt unusual for June. Some flash flooding occurred on the 28th. The last 2 days of the month turned dry with rising temperatures as heat builds in the start of July, but that is for the next blog.
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| 72 hour total precipitation ending at 8pm on June 28, 2026. Source. |
June Statistics
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| Table summarizing the average temperature and precipitation totals compared to average for the month of June. |
Temperatures for June 2026 were close to average except for the locations in deepest drought in southeastern Pennsylvania. It was the 5th warmest June on record for Philladelphia. Precipitation was near average for some but most locations were well below average. It was the 3rd driest June on record for Harrisburg. Below I have included maps of departure from average maps for temperature and precipitation.
Multiple round of severe weather made for an active month of June. In total there were 142 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, 23 Tornado Warnings, and 21 Flash Flood Warnings. This is the 2nd most number of Tornado Warnings for the month of June behind only June 1998 and the most for any month since July 2021. In total there were 266 severe wind damage reports!
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| A map showing every Severe Thunderstorm Warning in the state during June 2026. Source. |
Coming into June there were no tornadoes in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. That changed quickly with two big tornado days 6 tornadoes on the 6th and another 15 on the 14th. With one more tornado on the 22nd, the total for the month and the year is 22.
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| A map of all the tornadoes in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. |
22 tornadoes is the 2nd most tornadoes in a single month for the state, passing the infamous May 1985. 28 in June 1998 holds the record. The 15 tornadoes on the 14th the 5th most number of tornadoes on a single day! 4 tornadoes in Fayette County is the most ever for the county in a single year.
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| A table listing all of the tornadoes in Pennsylvania so far in 2026. |
*Please note that the tornado numbers are preliminary.*
Check out my website for all the tornado statistics from the year so far HERE.
Webcam Image of the Month
There were so many thunderstorm and sunset webcam shots to choose from this month, however this double rainbow view with the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh takes the top spot!
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| Double rainbow over Pittsburgh on June 20, 2026. Source. |
See more of the awesome webcam snapshots from June 2026 by checking out these links:
Wrapping Up & Looking Ahead
Hopefully you can stay cool as summer continues. I will be using these hot days to put together a little review of the first half of 2026 that will arrive in mid-July.
As always, remember to look up!
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