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Melrose, MA Tornado History — 40 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Melrose, MA had?

Melrose has had 40 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Melrose?

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

When is tornado season in Melrose?

July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Melrose, with 12 on record. April through June account for 7 of the 40 tornadoes on record near Melrose.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
40
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
5.0% of total
Peak Month
July
12 on record
Per Year Avg
0.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Melrose

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 per year over this window.

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

What storm spotters reported near Melrose

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Melrose 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 Melrose 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 10
1960s 8
1970s 7
1980s 5
1990s 2
2010s 3
2020s 5

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 11
EF1 18
EF2 9
EF3 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 4
Jun 3
Jul 12
Aug 11
Sep 3
Oct 3
Nov 3
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Melrose

2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Melrose since 1950, across 2 events. 18 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record near Melrose.

The deadliest single event was an F3 on October 3, 1970, which caused 1 fatality along a 35.4-mile track.

Notable Tornadoes Near Melrose

Deadliest Tornado
F3 on October 3, 1970 — 1 fatality, 35.4 mi path, 60 yd wide.
Costliest Tornado
EF2 on July 28, 2014 — $4.0M in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
EF2 on July 28, 2014 — 660 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 Melrose

The 1950s were the busiest decade near Melrose, with 10 of the 40 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 5 so far. The Melrose record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Melrose, 29 reached EF0 or EF1 and 11 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Melrose is rated EF3, of which 2 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Melrose has averaged 0.4 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 8 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 2, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Melrose, MA had?
Since 1950, 40 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Melrose. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Melrose?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Melrose was an F3 on October 3, 1970, which caused 1 fatality.
When is tornado season in Melrose?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Melrose, with 12 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.
When was the most recent tornado near Melrose?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Melrose was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Melrose?
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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