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Fitchburg, MA Tornado History — 49 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Fitchburg, MA had?

Fitchburg has had 49 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Fitchburg?

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

When is tornado season in Fitchburg?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fitchburg, with 19 on record. April through June account for 11 of the 49 tornadoes on record near Fitchburg.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
49
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
3
6.1% of total
Peak Month
July
19 on record
Per Year Avg
0.6
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Fitchburg

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 15 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 5
2024 1
2023 1
2022 0
2021 4
2020 0
2019 0
2018 1
2017 0
2016 0
2015 1
2014 1
2013 0
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 1

What storm spotters reported near Fitchburg

2 local storm reports have been filed within 25 miles of Fitchburg and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on September 6, 2025 and the most recent on September 6, 2025. They are already counted in the Fitchburg totals above; quoted below is the narrative each 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)
EF1° September 6, 2025
1 SSW Holden, Worcester County, MA
EF1 TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN OVER WILLOW BROOK RD IN HOLDEN CAUSING SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE. (BOX)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 9
1960s 9
1970s 9
1980s 5
1990s 1
2000s 2
2010s 3
2020s 11

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 10
EF3 2
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 4
Jun 7
Jul 19
Aug 9
Sep 5
Oct 3
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Fitchburg

97 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Fitchburg since 1950, across 3 events. 1,253 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Fitchburg.

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

Notable Tornadoes Near Fitchburg

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
F3 on October 3, 1970 — 35.4 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on September 6, 2025.

What the record shows near Fitchburg

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Fitchburg, with 11 of the 49 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Fitchburg record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Fitchburg, 36 reached EF0 or EF1 and 13 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Fitchburg is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Fitchburg has averaged 0.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 15 in total. 2025 was the busiest of them with 5, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Fitchburg, MA had?
Since 1950, 49 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Fitchburg. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Fitchburg?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Fitchburg was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Fitchburg?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fitchburg, with 19 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 Fitchburg been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Fitchburg, 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 Fitchburg?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fitchburg was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Fitchburg?
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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