NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Durham, CT
Every tropical system within 75 miles since 1851 and every tornado within 25 miles since 1950.
Data: NOAA NHC HURDAT2 and NOAA SPC tornado and hail reports, through 2025 · Updated
52 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Durham, Connecticut since 1851, 12 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 44 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 4 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 12
- Tropical storms
- 40
- Tornadoes
- 44
- EF3 or stronger
- 4
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
1 deaths in all
What the records show for Durham
The strongest storm to pass near Durham was Carol in 1954, a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds when its centre passed 37 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1938, whose centre came within 12 miles. The record near Durham begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 54 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1860s, with 5 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 52 systems, 7 have come since 2000. Durham has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 77% of the 186 Connecticut cities on this site. The strongest of the 44 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on July 10, 1989; its path came within 12 miles. The deadliest, an F3 on May 24, 1962, killed 1 person. Of the 44, none had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 13 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 16. The most recent tornado was on November 13, 2021. Of the 186 Connecticut cities, 53% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Durham. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 31 times since 1960, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 186 Connecticut cities, 56% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Durham.
Compare Durham's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Durham
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | HenriAug 22 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 4 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | overhead | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1991 | BobAug 19 | 59 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 14 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1985 | HenriSep 24 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 22 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 19 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | CarolAug 31 | 37 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormSep 15 | 45 mi | Category 2 (102 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 12 mi | Category 3 (112 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 20 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 21 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 5 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormMay 30 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 50 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 17 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 45 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 12 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 19 | 71 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 27 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormSep 8 | 49 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormNov 3 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1858 | Unnamed 1858 stormSep 16 | 35 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormOct 19 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Durham: a hurricane's worst winds sit within a few dozen miles of its centre, and inland cities are usually past that.
Tornadoes within 25 miles of Durham
By decade
- 2020s3
- 2010s7
- 2000s3
- 1990s7
- 1980s5(1 EF3+)
- 1970s7(1 EF3+)
- 1960s3(1 EF3+)
- 1950s9(1 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10, 1989 | F4 | 12 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 40 |
| May 24, 1962 | F3 | 14 mi | 11.6 mi | 1 / 50 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | F3 | 20 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | F3 | 13 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 8 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | F2 | 19 mi | 5 mi | 0 / 70 |
| Jul 5, 1984 | F2 | 19 mi | 3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 18, 1973 | F2 | 15 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 6, 1973 | F2 | 25 mi | 3.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 31, 1973 | F2 | 19 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 12, 1973 | F2 | 25 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 24, 1955 | F2 | 19 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | F2 | 21 mi | 43.9 mi | 0 / 9 |
The strongest 12 of 44, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Durham
The Storm Prediction Center has 31 hail reports within 10 miles of Durham since 1960, made on 22 separate days. Of these, 17 were 1 inch across or larger, and one reached 2 inches. The largest, 2 inches (hen egg size), fell on July 1, 2012. The most recent report is from August 26, 2024. July has the most reports, 12.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Durham
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, CT, 8 miles northwest of Durham at 103 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 84°F and low of 63°F; January is the coolest, at 37°F and 19°F. October is the wettest at 4.5 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.9 inches; the year adds up to 45.0 inches over 74 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 52% of the year's precipitation (23.2 of 45.0 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 52 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (22); a normal September there has highs of 75°F and 4.3 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 15 days a year, almost all from June to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 129 nights a year. That 45.0 inches is more than at 6 of the 27 Connecticut stations used on this site (22%). Northford, 6 miles southwest, has its own station (Mt Carmel, CT): 50.5 inches a year, 5.5 more than here, and a July average high of 85°F against 84°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station New Haven, CT, 17 miles southwest, averaged 75°F in August and 37°F in February over 2021–2025. No month averaged 80°F. Sea level at the New London tide gauge, 31 miles from Durham, has risen 1.16 ± 0.04 inches per decade from 1938 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 11.6 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 66 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Water °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 | 19 | 3.1 | 5 | 39 |
| Feb | 39 | 20 | 2.9 | 5 | 37 |
| Mar | 48 | 28 | 4.1 | 6 | 41 |
| Apr | 60 | 38 | 4.1 | 7 | 48 |
| May | 70 | 48 | 3.5 | 7 | 57 |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 4.1 | 7 | 65 |
| Jul | 84 | 63 | 3.4 | 6 | 74 |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.5 | 6 | 75 |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 4.3 | 5 | 72 |
| Oct | 64 | 42 | 4.5 | 6 | 63 |
| Nov | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | 6 | 53 |
| Dec | 42 | 25 | 4.1 | 7 | 43 |
| Year | 61 | 40 | 45.0 | 74 | 56 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Meriden Markham Municipal Airport, CT (103 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station New Haven, CT, from NOAA Tides & Currents. Normals describe the station; the farther a place is from it, and the bigger the difference in height, the more its weather can differ.
Floods, thunderstorm wind and lightning near Durham
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 107 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Durham: 76 thunderstorm wind reports, 20 flash floods, 6 lightning strikes and 5 floods. They killed 0 people and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $335,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 110 mph, on July 21, 2010. September has had the most flash floods, 6 of 20. Of the 186 Connecticut cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 71 have had fewer than Durham.
August 1, 2011: lightning strike 4 miles from the centre of Durham — 1 injured, $50,000 damage.
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events whose starting point is on record, 1996 to June 30, 2026. Damage is the NWS estimate in the dollars of the year, not insured losses, and NWS notes that some reports are unverified.
Flood insurance claims, disaster declarations and FEMA risk ratings
Middlesex County, which includes Durham, has been named in 28 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1978, 16 of them major disasters (by incident: 11 hurricanes, 7 severe storms, 5 snowstorms, 3 floods). The latest major disaster declaration was Remnants of Hurricane Ida, on October 30, 2021.
Claims: FEMA, OpenFEMA Dataset FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims – v3, summed over ZIP codes; payments in the dollars of each year, not adjusted for inflation. Declarations: Disaster Declarations Summaries – v2, by county. Retrieved October 25, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
What counts as a pass, the distances and the sources: how this storm history is built.