Brighton, NY Tornado History — 11 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Brighton, NY had?
Brighton has had 11 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Brighton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Brighton was an EF0 on July 15, 2024.
When is tornado season in Brighton?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Brighton, with 5 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 Brighton
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 total, averaging 0.3 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
Have any tornadoes near Brighton been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Brighton from any of the 11 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Brighton
About Tornadoes in Brighton
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.
Brighton, New York has experienced 11 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All of these events have been relatively weak, with seven rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and damage. Notably, no tornado in the area's recorded history has resulted in any fatalities.
Tornado activity in the Brighton area has been distributed across several decades, with the 2000s seeing the most events at three tornadoes. The 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s each recorded one to two tornadoes, while the 2020s have already seen two events through 2024. July stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for five of the 11 total tornadoes. This summer concentration aligns with typical patterns in the Northeast, where warm, humid air masses can generate severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.
The costliest and widest tornado on record struck on June 9, 1980, an F1-rated storm that carved a 9.9-mile path with a maximum width of 200 yards and caused $2,750,000 in property damage. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on April 6, 1979, when an F0 traveled 14.0 miles despite maintaining a narrow maximum width of just 10 yards and causing $27,500 in damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on July 15, 2024, traveling 0.8 miles with a maximum width of 75 yards and causing no reported property damage.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on damage indicators rather than direct wind measurement. An EF0 tornado produces winds of 65–85 mph, while an EF1 generates winds of 86–110 mph. The consistent absence of stronger tornadoes and the lack of any fatalities in Brighton's recorded history reflect both the generally weaker nature of tornadoes in this region and the area's preparedness for severe weather events.