Palmer, MA Tornado History — 65 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Palmer, MA had?
Palmer has had 65 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 6 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Palmer?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Palmer was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Palmer?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Palmer, with 19 on record. April through June account for 20 of the 65 tornadoes on record near Palmer.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Palmer
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 18 total, averaging 0.9 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Palmer
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Palmer 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 Palmer totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.
EF1 TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN NEAR ARROWHEAD DRIVE IN PAXTON... CROSSING RICHARDS AVE AND LIKELY LIFTING AFTER CAUSING SIGNIFICANT TREE DAMAGE IN ITS PATH. SEVERAL S (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 Palmer
103 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Palmer since 1950, across 5 events. 1,937 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Palmer.
The deadliest single event was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities along a 34.9-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Palmer
What the record shows near Palmer
The 1950s were the busiest decade near Palmer, with 16 of the 65 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 4 so far. The Palmer record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Palmer, 46 reached EF0 or EF1 and 19 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Palmer is rated EF4, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Palmer has averaged 0.9 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 18 in total. 2011 was the busiest of them with 4, and 12 of those years passed with none at all.