Southbury, CT Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Southbury, CT had?
Southbury has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Southbury?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Southbury was an EF0 on June 21, 2024.
When is tornado season in Southbury?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Southbury, with 22 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 Southbury
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 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 Southbury
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Southbury since 1950, across 1 event. 194 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 Southbury
About Tornadoes in Southbury
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Since 1950, the area within 25 miles of Southbury, Connecticut has experienced 58 documented tornadoes, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While Connecticut is not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, this record demonstrates that tornadoes do occur in southern New England with notable regularity. The majority of these events have been relatively weak, with 14 rated EF0 and 29 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the region has also seen stronger tornadoes, including 12 EF2 events, 2 EF3 tornadoes, and one particularly significant EF4 tornado.
Tornado activity in the Southbury area has increased over the decades. The 1950s recorded just 4 tornadoes, while the 2010s saw 13 events. The 2000s brought 10 tornadoes, and the current decade through 2024 has already recorded 7. July stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 22 of the 58 total events. This summer peak aligns with the season when atmospheric conditions most favor severe thunderstorm development in the Northeast, particularly when warm, humid air masses interact with frontal boundaries or upper-level disturbances.
The most destructive tornado on record was an F4 event on July 10, 1989, which caused $275 million in property damage despite a relatively short 3-mile path and 100-yard width. Remarkably, this powerful tornado resulted in no fatalities. The deadliest tornado occurred on May 24, 1962, when an F3 tornado claimed one life and caused $2.75 million in damage along an 11.6-mile path. The longest-tracked tornado was an F2 that traveled 43.9 miles on August 21, 1951, while the widest reached 600 yards during an EF1 event on May 15, 2018.
The most recent tornado in the area was an EF0 that touched down on June 21, 2024, causing $15,000 in damage along a 2-mile path. While tornadoes in Connecticut tend to be weaker than those in the central United States, the historical record demonstrates that residents should remain aware of severe weather risks, particularly during the summer months when tornado activity peaks.