A powerful derecho, multiple tornadoes, above-average temperatures and several snowstorms were the leading weather events of 2025 for western Pennsylvania.Pittsburgh’s biggest weather events: See the video abovePittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey described the April 29 derecho as “an unprecedented storm,” noting the “unbelievable” damage across the city and Allegheny County. The storm brought up to 90 mph straight-line winds, resulting in over 70 damage reports within 90 minutes. Trees were snapped, roofs were ripped off buildings, and over half a million people lost power, with some outages lasting over a week. Three people were killed in Allegheny and Greene counties. This was the first derecho in western Pennsylvania since June 2020.After a record year in 2024, the tornado count was down in 2025 with 11 tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service. All of the tornadoes were outside Allegheny County. The tornado season began quickly with five tornadoes across three counties one day before St. Patrick’s Day.In January 2025, Pittsburgh’s 18-month streak of above-average temperatures ended. The city received 15 inches of snow. December saw 10 inches of snow, marking the snowiest start to December in over 60 years and Pittsburgh’s snowiest day in over three years.Stay connected with breaking news and severe weather with the WTAE app:Sign up to receive severe weather alerts for your county.Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
A powerful derecho, multiple tornadoes, above-average temperatures and several snowstorms were the leading weather events of 2025 for western Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh’s biggest weather events: See the video above
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey described the April 29 derecho as “an unprecedented storm,” noting the “unbelievable” damage across the city and Allegheny County. The storm brought up to 90 mph straight-line winds, resulting in over 70 damage reports within 90 minutes. Trees were snapped, roofs were ripped off buildings, and over half a million people lost power, with some outages lasting over a week. Three people were killed in Allegheny and Greene counties. This was the first derecho in western Pennsylvania since June 2020.
After a record year in 2024, the tornado count was down in 2025 with 11 tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service. All of the tornadoes were outside Allegheny County. The tornado season began quickly with five tornadoes across three counties one day before St. Patrick’s Day.
In January 2025, Pittsburgh’s 18-month streak of above-average temperatures ended. The city received 15 inches of snow. December saw 10 inches of snow, marking the snowiest start to December in over 60 years and Pittsburgh’s snowiest day in over three years.
Stay connected with breaking news and severe weather with the WTAE app:
Sign up to receive severe weather alerts for your county.
Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox.