Rochester, NH Tornado History — 25 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rochester, NH had?
Rochester has had 25 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Rochester?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rochester was an EF0 on August 22, 2020.
When is tornado season in Rochester?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rochester, with 7 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Rochester
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 per year over this window.
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 Rochester
1 fatality has been recorded within 25 miles of Rochester since 1950, across 1 event. 22 injuries have been reported across all events. 2008 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was an EF2 on July 24, 2008, which caused 1 fatality along a 50.5-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rochester
About Tornadoes in Rochester
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Rochester, New Hampshire, has experienced 25 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are less frequent in New England than in the central United States, this history demonstrates that the region is not immune to severe rotating storms. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest), provides a framework for understanding the range of events that have affected the area.
The distribution of tornadoes by decade shows notable variation, with the 1970s recording the highest count at six events, followed by five in the 1960s and four in the 1950s. Activity declined somewhat in subsequent decades, with two tornadoes each in the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s, three in the 1990s, and one thus far in the 2020s. By intensity, the recorded tornadoes include six rated EF0, nine rated EF1, nine rated EF2, and one rated EF3. June has been the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for seven events.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on July 24, 2008, when an EF2-rated storm traveled an extraordinary 50.5-mile path with a maximum width of 880 yards. This event resulted in one fatality and caused approximately $2.027 million in property damage, making it the deadliest, widest, and longest-tracked tornado in the area's recorded history. The costliest tornado struck on June 22, 1981, when an F2-rated storm caused $2.75 million in property damage along an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 40 yards, though it resulted in no fatalities.
The most recent tornado in the Rochester area was an EF0-rated event on August 22, 2020, which traveled 1.5 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards. This storm caused no reported property damage and no injuries, representing the weaker end of the tornado spectrum that has affected the region over the past seven decades.