Middlesex County, Massachusetts tornadoes

Checking live National Weather Service warnings for Middlesex County...

21confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: September 6, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Join the free alerts waiting list
Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
Use two fingers to move the map
(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 Middlesex County

Loading warnings...

The record

At a glance

Total211950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthJuly7 of 21
StrongestF3Oct 3, 1970
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

70 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 0Jun: 2Jul: 7Aug: 6Sep: 3Oct: 2Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 7 of 21 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 2: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 2: 0: 112 PM: 1: 5: 33 PM: 3: 2: 06 PM: 1: 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

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 2: 2: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 2: 2: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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
5
EF1
10
EF2
4
EF3
2

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

Deadliest

F3, October 3, 1970

1 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, October 3, 1970

35.4 mile path Longest path

35.4 miles, F3

October 3, 1970, whole path Widest

400 yards, EF1

August 22, 2016
Every tornado

All 21 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Sep 6, 2025EF02.38 mi100 yd00
Aug 23, 2021EF00.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 23, 2021EF00.75 mi10 yd00
Aug 22, 2016EF10.85 mi400 yd00
Aug 7, 1986F14 mi73 yd00
Sep 27, 1985F10.1 mi40 yd00
Jul 18, 1983F00.4 mi20 yd00
Sep 29, 1974F30.1 mi33 yd01
Jul 21, 1972F27.6 mi37 yd04
Nov 7, 1971F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1971F125.2 mi10 yd01
Oct 3, 1970F335.4 mi60 yd10
Jul 11, 1970F10.1 mi50 yd00
Aug 28, 1965F22 mi10 yd00
Jul 18, 1963F11 mi50 yd00
Jul 3, 1961F00.5 mi10 yd00
Aug 25, 1958F21 mi50 yd00
Jul 11, 1958F21.5 mi17 yd00
Jun 19, 1957F10.5 mi100 yd00
Jun 19, 1957F11 mi17 yd00
Oct 24, 1955F10.1 mi10 yd00
Cities

Cities in Middlesex County

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

Nearby

Nearby counties

Coming soon

Free tornado alerts for Middlesex County

We are building free email alerts for tornado warnings. Join the waiting list and we will email you once when they are ready. Until then, please rely on the National Weather Service and your phone's emergency alerts.

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