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Bristol, CT Tornado History — 62 Tornadoes Since 1950

Connecticut · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Bristol, CT had?

Bristol has had 62 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Bristol?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bristol was an EF0 on June 21, 2024.

When is tornado season in Bristol?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bristol, with 21 on record. April through June account for 23 of the 62 tornadoes on record near Bristol.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
62
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
5
8.1% of total
Peak Month
July
21 on record
Per Year Avg
0.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Bristol

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 20 total, averaging 1.0 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 1
2023 1
2022 1
2021 1
2020 2
2019 0
2018 4
2017 0
2016 1
2015 0
2014 1
2013 1
2012 0
2011 1
2010 5
2009 1
2008 0
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 10
1960s 3
1970s 13
1980s 5
1990s 6
2000s 6
2010s 13
2020s 6

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.

EF0 14
EF1 28
EF2 14
EF3 3
EF4 2
Unrated 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 10
Jun 13
Jul 21
Aug 12
Sep 2
Oct 3
Nov 1
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Bristol

4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Bristol since 1950, across 2 events. 685 injuries have been reported across all events. 1979 was the deadliest year on record near Bristol.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on October 3, 1979, which caused 3 fatalities along a 11.3-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Bristol

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on October 3, 1979 — 3 fatalities, 11.3 mi path, 1,400 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F4 on July 10, 1989 — est. ~$275.0M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F4 on October 3, 1979 — 1,400 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on August 21, 1951 — 43.9 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on June 21, 2024.

What the record shows near Bristol

The 1970s were the busiest decade near Bristol, with 13 of the 62 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 6 so far. The Bristol record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Bristol, 42 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Bristol is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged. A further 1 near Bristol is unrated — events NOAA logged before a damage survey assigned a scale.

Across the last 20 years Bristol has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2010 was the busiest of them with 5, and 8 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Bristol, CT had?
Since 1950, 62 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Bristol. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Bristol?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Bristol was an F4 on October 3, 1979, which caused 3 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Bristol?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bristol, with 21 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
Has Bristol been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Bristol, there have been 0 EF5 and 2 EF4 tornadoes recorded since 1950. EF4 and EF5 tornadoes are the most destructive ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds above 166 mph.
When was the most recent tornado near Bristol?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bristol was an EF0 on June 21, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Bristol?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

NWS Local Forecast Office — Bristol forecast ↗Storm Prediction Center — Current severe weather outlook ↗NWS Connecticut alerts feed ↗FEMA — Connecticut disaster declarations ↗

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Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Coverage 1950–present. Last updated August 27, 2026.