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Cranston, RI Tornado History — 36 Tornadoes Since 1950

Rhode Island · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Cranston, RI had?

Cranston has had 36 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 strong to violent (EF3+) tornado.

When was the most recent tornado near Cranston?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cranston was an EF1 on June 26, 2024.

When is tornado season in Cranston?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cranston, with 12 on record. April through June account for 7 of the 36 tornadoes on record near Cranston.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
36
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
1
2.8% of total
Peak Month
August
12 on record
Per Year Avg
0.5
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Cranston

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 17 total, averaging 0.8 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 2
2023 7
2022 0
2021 2
2020 0
2019 1
2018 3
2017 0
2016 0
2015 1
2014 0
2013 0
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 1
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 3
1960s 1
1970s 2
1980s 6
1990s 4
2000s 4
2010s 5
2020s 11

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 13
EF1 20
EF2 2
EF3 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 0
Apr 0
May 1
Jun 6
Jul 4
Aug 12
Sep 7
Oct 4
Nov 2
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Cranston been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Cranston from any of the 36 tornadoes since 1950, though 46 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Cranston

Costliest Tornado
F2 on August 7, 1986 — est. ~$2.8M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F1 on August 8, 1986 — 1,000 yards wide.
Longest Path
F3 on June 9, 1953 — 28.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on June 26, 2024.

What the record shows near Cranston

The 2020s are the busiest decade on record so far near Cranston, with 11 of the 36 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles. The Cranston record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Cranston, 33 reached EF0 or EF1 and 3 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Cranston is rated EF3, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Cranston has averaged 0.8 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 17 in total. 2023 was the busiest of them with 7, and 13 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Cranston, RI had?
Since 1950, 36 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Cranston. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Cranston?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Cranston, with 12 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.
When was the most recent tornado near Cranston?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Cranston was an EF1 on June 26, 2024.
How do I get tornado warnings for Cranston?
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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