Reading, MA Tornado History — 40 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Reading, MA had?
Reading 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 Reading?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Reading was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Reading?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Reading, with 14 on record. April through June account for 5 of the 40 tornadoes on record near Reading.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Reading
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.
What storm spotters reported near Reading
One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Reading 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 Reading 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 Reading
2 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Reading since 1950, across 2 events. 18 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record near Reading.
The deadliest single event was an F3 on October 3, 1970, which caused 1 fatality along a 35.4-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Reading
What the record shows near Reading
The 1950s were the busiest decade near Reading, with 11 of the 40 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 4 so far. The Reading record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Reading, 28 reached EF0 or EF1 and 12 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Reading is rated EF3, of which 2 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Reading has averaged 0.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 6 in total. 2021 was the busiest of them with 2, and 15 of those years passed with none at all.