Shirley, NY Tornado History — 26 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Shirley, NY had?
Shirley has had 26 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Shirley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Shirley was an EF0 on September 25, 2022.
When is tornado season in Shirley?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Shirley, with 8 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 Shirley
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 12 total, averaging 0.6 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 Shirley been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Shirley from any of the 26 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Shirley
About Tornadoes in Shirley
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.
Shirley, New York, located on Long Island's south shore, has experienced 26 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are often associated with the Great Plains, this coastal community's record demonstrates that these severe weather events can and do occur in the Northeast, particularly during the late summer and early autumn months when tropical systems and strong frontal boundaries move through the region.
The majority of tornadoes near Shirley have been relatively weak, with 16 rated EF0 and 8 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only 2 tornadoes reached EF2 strength. Notably, none of the recorded tornadoes in this area have resulted in fatalities. August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 8 of the 26 events, reflecting the influence of tropical weather systems and summer thunderstorm complexes that affect the Atlantic coast during this period.
Tornado frequency in the Shirley area has increased in recent decades, with just 1 event recorded in the 1970s compared to 8 in the 1990s and 6 in the 2020s thus far. The costliest tornado on record occurred on November 13, 2021, when an EF1 tornado caused $900,000 in property damage along a 5.3-mile path with a maximum width of 50 yards. Interestingly, that same day produced another tornado—an EF0 that traveled 8.2 miles, making it the longest-tracked tornado in the area's recorded history, though it remained relatively narrow at just 35 yards wide.
The widest tornado near Shirley was an F2 that struck on August 8, 1999, reaching 300 yards in width over a 4-mile path, though it caused minimal recorded property damage. The most recent tornado occurred on September 26, 2022, an EF0 event that caused $100,000 in damage along a 2.1-mile track. These records underscore that while tornadoes in this region are generally less intense than those in the central United States, they remain a legitimate weather hazard requiring appropriate preparedness and awareness among residents.