Ashland, MA Tornado History — 67 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Ashland, MA had?
Ashland has had 67 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Ashland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Ashland was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Ashland?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Ashland, with 19 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 Ashland
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 25 total, averaging 1.3 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 Ashland
98 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Ashland since 1950, across 4 events. 1,268 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities along a 34.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Ashland
About Tornadoes in Ashland
This overview was written July 24, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Ashland lies in the MetroWest region of eastern Massachusetts, in the wooded, pond-dotted country along the Sudbury River southwest of Boston. New England sees relatively few tornadoes compared with the nation's interior, but southern New England does experience them, and this part of the state has over the years.
When tornadoes do occur here, they are typically a warm-season event. Humid air over the region can turn unstable under strong summer heating, and when an upper-level disturbance provides wind shear, thunderstorms can build tall and occasionally rotate. The inland setting lets heat and humidity accumulate on hot afternoons, away from the coast's moderating sea breeze. Their infrequency means such storms can arrive with little public expectation.
Tornado intensity is rated on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which runs from EF0 to EF5 according to surveyed damage rather than a measured wind speed. The vast majority of the region's tornadoes are weak, with strong ones rare. For the specific record near Ashland — the total on file, the breakdown by decade and rating, and the deadliest, costliest, and most recent events — see the figures compiled from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center elsewhere on this page.