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Middletown, CT Tornado History — 51 Tornadoes Since 1950

Connecticut · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Middletown, CT had?

Middletown has had 51 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 5 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Middletown?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Middletown was an EF0 on November 13, 2021.

When is tornado season in Middletown?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Middletown, with 18 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
51
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
5
9.8% of total
Peak Month
July
18 on record
Per Year Avg
0.7
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Middletown

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 16 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 0
2022 0
2021 3
2020 1
2019 1
2018 1
2017 0
2016 1
2015 0
2014 1
2013 2
2012 0
2011 0
2010 4
2009 2
2008 0
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 4
1970s 10
1980s 5
1990s 7
2000s 2
2010s 10
2020s 4

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 12
EF1 25
EF2 9
EF3 3
EF4 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 1
May 3
Jun 9
Jul 18
Aug 10
Sep 5
Oct 3
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Middletown

4 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Middletown since 1950, across 2 events. 680 injuries have been reported across all events. 1979 was the deadliest year on record.

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

Notable Tornadoes Near Middletown

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 November 13, 2021.

About Tornadoes in Middletown

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.

Middletown sits in Middlesex County, along the Connecticut River in the middle of the state, and the tornadoes that have struck this part of central Connecticut have tended to arrive in high summer, when hot, humid air pooling over the river valley feeds severe thunderstorms.

The region has seen genuinely violent storms. On October 3, 1979, an F4 tornado carved an 11.3-mile path as much as 1,400 yards wide, killing 3 people, injuring 500, and causing $275 million in property damage. A decade later, on July 10, 1989, another F4 struck the area, injuring 40 people and again causing $275 million in damage, while an F2 the same day injured 70 more. Earlier generations knew the hazard as well: an F3 on May 24, 1962 killed 1 person and injured 50 along an 11.6-mile track, and on August 21, 1951 an F2 injured 9 people and an F3 injured 8.

More recent tornadoes near Middletown have been weaker but persistent. EF1 tornadoes touched down on July 21, 2010, with further EF1s on May 15, 2018, September 4, 2019, and August 27, 2020. EF0 tornadoes on November 13, 2021 showed that the season here can stretch surprisingly deep into autumn, well past the summer months when the valley's storms most often turn severe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Middletown, CT had?
Since 1950, 51 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Middletown. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Middletown?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Middletown was a F4 on October 3, 1979, which caused 3 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Middletown?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Middletown, with 18 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 Middletown been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Middletown, 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 Middletown?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Middletown was an EF0 on November 13, 2021.
How do I get tornado warnings for Middletown?
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

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