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Franklin, MA Tornado History — 52 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Franklin, MA had?

Franklin has had 52 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Franklin?

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

When is tornado season in Franklin?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Franklin, with 18 on record. April through June account for 12 of the 52 tornadoes on record near Franklin.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
52
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
3.8% of total
Peak Month
August
18 on record
Per Year Avg
0.7
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Franklin

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 22 total, averaging 1.1 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 1
2024 2
2023 8
2022 0
2021 3
2020 1
2019 0
2018 4
2017 0
2016 0
2015 1
2014 1
2013 1
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Franklin

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Franklin 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 Franklin totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

EF1° September 6, 2025
2 W Berlin, Worcester County, MA
EF1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN WEST OF BARNES HILL ROAD IN BERLIN... MA AND TRAVELED ENE CROSSING DERBY ROAD AND WEST STREET. MANY SOFT OR HARDWOOD TREES SNAPPED AT THE TRUNK (BOX)

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 7
1960s 3
1970s 6
1980s 8
1990s 3
2000s 3
2010s 7
2020s 15

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 18
EF1 28
EF2 4
EF3 1
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 5
Jun 7
Jul 8
Aug 18
Sep 8
Oct 4
Nov 2
Dec 0

Casualties on Record Near Franklin

95 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Franklin since 1950, across 2 events. 1,284 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Franklin.

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

Notable Tornadoes Near Franklin

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
F1 on August 8, 1986 — 1,000 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 Franklin

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Franklin, with 15 of the 52 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Franklin record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Franklin, 46 reached EF0 or EF1 and 6 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Franklin is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Franklin has averaged 1.1 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 22 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 8, and 11 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Franklin, MA had?
Since 1950, 52 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Franklin. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Franklin?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Franklin was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Franklin?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Franklin, with 18 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 Franklin been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Franklin, 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 Franklin?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Franklin was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Franklin?
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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