VORTEX
TORNADO HISTORY
← All Cities

Cambridge, MA Tornado History — 45 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Cambridge, MA had?

Cambridge has had 45 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Cambridge?

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

When is tornado season in Cambridge?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cambridge, with 13 on record. April through June account for 10 of the 45 tornadoes on record near Cambridge.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
45
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
6.7% of total
Peak Month
July
13 on record
Per Year Avg
0.6
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Cambridge

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 12 total, averaging 0.6 per year over this window.

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

What storm spotters reported near Cambridge

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Cambridge and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on September 6, 2025 and the most recent on September 6, 2025. It is already counted in the Cambridge totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

EF1° September 6, 2025
3 E Bolton, Middlesex County, MA
AN EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN STOW... MA NEAR MAPLE STREET AND CONTINUED ENE OVER BOSE AVENUE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE. THE TORNADO LIFTED SOMEWHERE NEAR HARVES (BOX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 11
1960s 5
1970s 8
1980s 7
1990s 1
2000s 1
2010s 4
2020s 8

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 21
EF2 6
EF3 2
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 4
Jun 6
Jul 13
Aug 12
Sep 5
Oct 2
Nov 2
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Cambridge

95 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Cambridge since 1950, across 2 events. 1,263 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Cambridge.

The deadliest single event was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities along a 34.9-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Cambridge

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.

What the record shows near Cambridge

The 1950s were the busiest decade near Cambridge, with 11 of the 45 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 8 so far. The Cambridge record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Cambridge, 36 reached EF0 or EF1 and 9 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Cambridge is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Cambridge has averaged 0.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 12 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 3, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Cambridge, MA had?
Since 1950, 45 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Cambridge. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Cambridge?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Cambridge was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Cambridge?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cambridge, with 13 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 Cambridge been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Cambridge, 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 Cambridge?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cambridge was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Cambridge?
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

More Cities in Massachusetts