Branford, CT Tornado History — 35 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Branford, CT had?
Branford has had 35 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Branford?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Branford was an EF0 on September 25, 2022.
When is tornado season in Branford?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Branford, with 13 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Branford
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 12 total, averaging 0.6 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Branford
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Branford since 1950, across 1 event. 166 injuries have been reported across all events. 1962 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on May 24, 1962, which caused 1 fatality along a 11.6-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Branford
About Tornadoes in Branford
This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Branford sits on Connecticut's Long Island Sound shoreline just east of New Haven, and most of its tornado history has been written in high summer, when humid coastal air feeds severe thunderstorms across the region. An F2 tracked ten miles through the area on July 12, 1950; an F3 injured two people on July 29, 1971; and EF1 tornadoes touched down on July 31, 2009.
July 10, 1989 brought destructive tornadoes in quick succession: an F4 tore a three-mile path, injuring 40 people and causing $275 million in property damage, while an F2 tracked five miles that same day, injuring 70 and causing $27.5 million in damage. Decades earlier, on May 24, 1962, a deadly F3 carved an 11.6-mile track through the area, killing one person and injuring 50.
Tornadoes have also struck well outside midsummer here. An F2 touched down on October 24, 1955, and EF1 tornadoes struck on May 15, 2018, followed by an EF1 on August 27, 2020. More recently, the fall shoulder season has produced its own activity: EF0 tornadoes touched down on November 13, 2021, and another EF0 followed on September 26, 2022.