Rhode Island tornadoes

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20 confirmed tornadoes since 1950. Most recent: June 26, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

Counties with the most tornadoes

CountyTornadoes since 1950Per 1,000 sq mi
Providence County1229
Washington County39
Bristol County283
Kent County212
Newport County110

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 0May: 0Jun: 1Jul: 1Aug: 8Sep: 4Oct: 3Nov: 3Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 8 of 20 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 1: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 5: 43 PM: 5: 1: 06 PM: 0: 0: 09 PM: 2: 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: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12020: 0: 3: 0: 3: 1: 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
8
EF1
10
EF2
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.

Notable tornadoes

Longest path

9.1 miles, EF2

August 18, 2023

Most recent tornadoes

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 26, 2024EF18.6 mi100 yd00
Sep 13, 2023EF10.21 mi60 yd00
Sep 13, 2023EF10.21 mi70 yd00
Aug 18, 2023EF29.1 mi250 yd01
Nov 13, 2021EF01.5 mi150 yd00
Nov 13, 2021EF11.36 mi100 yd00
Nov 13, 2021EF06.13 mi100 yd00
Oct 2, 2019EF00.22 mi60 yd00
Oct 23, 2018EF11.5 mi250 yd00
Aug 10, 2012EF03.83 mi20 yd00
Jul 23, 2008EF14.28 mi40 yd00
Aug 16, 2000F00.2 mi10 yd00
Aug 13, 1994F00.5 mi50 yd00
Oct 18, 1990F14.5 mi73 yd00
Sep 23, 1989F00.2 mi40 yd03
Aug 8, 1986F17 mi1,000 yd00
Aug 7, 1986F24 mi1,000 yd020
Aug 7, 1986F10.5 mi100 yd00
Aug 26, 1985F11.5 mi100 yd00
Sep 14, 1972F02 mi10 yd00

Every Rhode Island county

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025. A tornado that crossed a state line counts in each state it touched.