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Brookline, MA Tornado History — 50 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Brookline, MA had?

Brookline has had 50 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Brookline?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Brookline was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.

When is tornado season in Brookline?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Brookline, with 14 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
50
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
6.0% of total
Peak Month
July
14 on record
Per Year Avg
0.7
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Brookline

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 6
1970s 10
1980s 7
1990s 2
2000s 2
2010s 5
2020s 9

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 15
EF1 26
EF2 6
EF3 2
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 6
Jun 6
Jul 14
Aug 13
Sep 5
Oct 3
Nov 2
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Brookline

95 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Brookline since 1950, across 2 events. 1,269 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 Brookline

Deadliest Tornado
F4 on June 9, 1953 — 94 fatalities, 34.9 mi path, 900 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
F4 on June 9, 1953 — est. ~$275.0M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F4 on June 9, 1953 — 900 yards wide.
Longest Path
F4 on June 9, 1953 — 34.9 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on September 6, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Brookline

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.

Brookline is a densely settled town wrapped around the southwestern side of Boston, in the coastal lowlands of eastern Massachusetts. Southern New England is not a major tornado region, but it records tornadoes in most years, and the area's longer history includes a few powerful ones.

Tornadoes here are chiefly a summer occurrence. On humid days, strong heating can make the atmosphere unstable, and when a disturbance aloft supplies wind shear, thunderstorms can grow and occasionally rotate. The nearby coast and its sea breeze can influence where storms develop on a given afternoon. Because these events are infrequent in the Boston area, taking severe-weather watches and warnings seriously matters even here.

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale grades tornado intensity from EF0 to EF5 based on a damage survey rather than a measured wind speed. Nearly all of the region's tornadoes are weak, with violent ones rare. The tornado history for the Brookline area — counts, the decade and rating breakdowns, and the deadliest, costliest, and most recent events — is drawn from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center and appears in the figures elsewhere on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Brookline, MA had?
Since 1950, 50 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Brookline. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Brookline?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Brookline was a F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Brookline?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Brookline, with 14 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 Brookline been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Brookline, there has been 0 EF5 and 1 EF4 tornado 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 Brookline?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Brookline was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Brookline?
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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