Essex County, Massachusetts tornadoes

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14confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: August 15, 1991, F1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Essex County

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The record

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthJuly5 of 14
StrongestF3Sep 29, 1974
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Essex County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 2Jun: 1Jul: 5Aug: 3Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 5 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 1: 33 PM: 5: 1: 16 PM: 0: 1: 09 PM: 0: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 01960: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01970: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
9
EF2
2
EF3
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, September 29, 1974

0.1 mile path Longest path

25.2 miles, F1

July 1, 1971, whole path Widest

300 yards, F0

May 19, 1964
Every tornado

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Aug 15, 1991F10.8 mi300 yd00
Sep 29, 1974F30.1 mi33 yd01
Jul 21, 1972F10.3 mi20 yd00
Jul 1, 1971F125.2 mi10 yd01
Jul 1, 1968F10.3 mi100 yd01
Aug 10, 1965F13.6 mi10 yd00
May 19, 1964F12 mi300 yd00
May 19, 1964F00.1 mi300 yd00
Jul 21, 1962F12.7 mi10 yd03
Jul 13, 1960F00.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 18, 1956F10.5 mi23 yd00
Nov 21, 1956F20.8 mi17 yd00
Jun 13, 1956F11 mi10 yd00
Aug 21, 1951F29.3 mi100 yd00
Cities

Cities in Essex County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.