Middletown, RI Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Middletown, RI had?
Middletown has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Middletown?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Middletown was an EF1 on June 26, 2024.
When is tornado season in Middletown?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Middletown, 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 Middletown
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 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 Middletown been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Middletown from any of the 16 tornadoes since 1950, though 24 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Middletown
About Tornadoes in Middletown
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.
Middletown, Rhode Island has experienced 16 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are less frequent in New England than in the central United States, this coastal community has seen measurable tornado activity across seven decades, with notable clustering in recent years—four tornadoes have occurred in the 2020s alone, matching the total from the previous three decades combined.
The majority of tornadoes near Middletown have been relatively weak, with seven rated EF0 and six rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. Three tornadoes reached EF2 strength, capable of producing considerable damage with wind speeds between 111 and 135 miles per hour. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred. The costliest and widest tornado struck on August 7, 1986, carving a four-mile path up to 1,000 yards wide and causing $2.75 million in property damage. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on August 18, 2023, traveling 9.1 miles with a maximum width of 250 yards and causing $250,000 in damage.
August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for seven of the 16 recorded events. This summer maximum differs from the traditional spring peak seen across much of the country, reflecting New England's distinct severe weather patterns often influenced by tropical systems and strong summer thunderstorm complexes. The most recent tornado touched down on June 27, 2024, producing EF1 winds along a 0.6-mile path and causing $5,000 in damage.
Tornado occurrence near Middletown has varied considerably by decade, with single events in the 1960s and 2000s, while the 1970s and 1990s each saw three tornadoes. The uptick in documented tornadoes during the 2010s and 2020s may reflect both actual meteorological variability and improvements in detection technology, as modern radar and widespread mobile devices have made it easier to confirm brief or weak tornadoes that might have gone unrecorded in earlier decades.