Needham, MA Tornado History — 56 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Needham, MA had?
Needham has had 56 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Needham?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Needham was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Needham?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Needham, with 16 on record. April through June account for 12 of the 56 tornadoes on record near Needham.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Needham
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 19 total, averaging 0.9 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Needham
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Needham 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 Needham totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
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
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.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Needham
96 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Needham since 1950, across 3 events. 1,270 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Needham.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities along a 34.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Needham
What the record shows near Needham
The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Needham, with 12 of the 56 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Needham record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Needham, 46 reached EF0 or EF1 and 10 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Needham is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.
Across the last 20 years Needham has averaged 0.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 19 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 5, and 11 of those years passed with none at all.