Franklin County, Massachusetts tornadoes

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26confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1954). Most recent: February 25, 2017, EF1. 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 Franklin County

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The record

At a glance

Total261950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJuly13 of 26
StrongestF2Jul 5, 1955
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries5whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

130 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 3Jun: 2Jul: 13Aug: 5Sep: 2Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 13 of 26 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 1: 012 PM: 2: 5: 33 PM: 5: 3: 26 PM: 3: 0: 09 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 2: 2: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 1: 3: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
6
EF1
15
EF2
5

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

F2, July 5, 1955

0.1 mile path Longest path

18.7 miles, F1

June 18, 1970, whole path Widest

440 yards, F1

June 18, 1970
Every tornado

All 26 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Feb 25, 2017EF14.64 mi200 yd01
Sep 1, 2013EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Jul 11, 2006F22.9 mi200 yd00
Jul 3, 1997F18.5 mi100 yd00
Jul 3, 1997F14.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 27, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd04
Jul 5, 1984F12 mi80 yd00
Aug 1, 1983F00.1 mi13 yd00
Aug 2, 1973F03.3 mi10 yd00
Aug 27, 1972F21 mi100 yd00
Jul 3, 1972F13 mi20 yd00
Jul 3, 1972F11 mi10 yd00
Jul 17, 1971F10.5 mi60 yd00
Aug 17, 1970F116.7 mi10 yd00
Jun 18, 1970F118.7 mi440 yd00
Jul 29, 1964F14.3 mi10 yd00
Jul 29, 1964F00.1 mi17 yd00
Sep 12, 1963F11 mi50 yd00
May 20, 1963F20.1 mi17 yd00
Jul 2, 1961F02 mi280 yd00
Aug 13, 1958F18 mi233 yd00
Jul 11, 1958F21 mi100 yd00
May 10, 1957F10.2 mi17 yd00
May 10, 1957F10.2 mi17 yd00
Jul 5, 1955F20.1 mi10 yd00
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.