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Wellesley, MA Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950

Massachusetts · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Wellesley, MA had?

Wellesley has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 4 strong to violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Wellesley?

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

When is tornado season in Wellesley?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wellesley, with 17 on record. April through June account for 12 of the 58 tornadoes on record near Wellesley.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
58
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
4
6.9% of total
Peak Month
August
17 on record
Per Year Avg
0.8
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Wellesley

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 20 total, averaging 1.0 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 2
2024 0
2023 5
2022 0
2021 4
2020 1
2019 0
2018 3
2017 0
2016 1
2015 1
2014 2
2013 1
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Wellesley

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Wellesley 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 Wellesley 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 11
1960s 6
1970s 11
1980s 6
1990s 2
2000s 2
2010s 8
2020s 12

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 19
EF1 27
EF2 8
EF3 3
EF4 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 6
Jun 6
Jul 15
Aug 17
Sep 6
Oct 4
Nov 3
Dec 1

Casualties on Record Near Wellesley

96 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Wellesley since 1950, across 3 events. 1,271 injuries have been reported across all events. 1953 was the deadliest year on record near Wellesley.

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

Notable Tornadoes Near Wellesley

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
F3 on October 3, 1970 — 35.4 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on September 6, 2025.

What the record shows near Wellesley

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Wellesley, with 12 of the 58 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Wellesley record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Wellesley, 46 reached EF0 or EF1 and 12 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Wellesley is rated EF4, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Wellesley has averaged 1.0 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 20 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 5, and 11 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Wellesley, MA had?
Since 1950, 58 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Wellesley. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
What was the deadliest tornado near Wellesley?
The deadliest tornado on record within 25 miles of Wellesley was an F4 on June 9, 1953, which caused 94 fatalities.
When is tornado season in Wellesley?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wellesley, with 17 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 Wellesley been hit by an EF4 or EF5 tornado?
Within 25 miles of Wellesley, 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 Wellesley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wellesley was an EF0 on September 6, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Wellesley?
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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