NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Great Barrington, MA
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
32 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Great Barrington, Massachusetts since 1851, 4 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Isaias in 2020. Since 1950, 38 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 3 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 4
- Tropical storms
- 28
- Tornadoes
- 38
- EF3 or stronger
- 3
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
7 deaths in all
What the records show for Great Barrington
The strongest storm to pass near Great Barrington was an unnamed storm in 1938, a Category 2 hurricane with 96 mph winds when its centre passed 19 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was an unnamed storm in 1893, whose centre came within 2 miles. The record near Great Barrington begins with an unnamed storm in 1861; the most recent system was Isaias in 2020, a tropical storm 42 miles away. Of the 32 systems, 3 have come since 2000. Of the 346 Massachusetts cities on this site, 97% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Great Barrington. The highest rating among the 38 tornadoes within 25 miles is F4, reached 2 times; the most recent, on May 29, 1995, passed within a mile of the city centre. The deadliest, an F4 on August 28, 1973, killed 4 people. Of the 38, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 16 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 18. The most recent tornado was on July 28, 2022. Of the 346 Massachusetts cities, 64% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Great Barrington. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 47 times since 1955, with stones up to 2 inches (hen egg size). Of the 346 Massachusetts cities, 64% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Great Barrington.
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Tropical storms and hurricanes near Great Barrington
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | IsaiasAug 4 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 35 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1979 | DavidSep 6 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 23 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 73 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1949 | Unnamed 1949 stormAug 29 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 19 mi | Category 2 (96 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1929 | Unnamed 1929 stormOct 3 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 5 | 43 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 2 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 23 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 27 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Great Barrington: 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 Great Barrington
By decade
- 2020s5
- 2010s3
- 2000s8
- 1990s8(1 EF3+)
- 1980s1
- 1970s8(2 EF3+)
- 1960s2
- 1950s3
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 1973 | F4 | 6 mi | 9.8 mi | 4 / 36 |
| May 29, 1995 | F4 | in town | 11.5 mi | 3 / 24 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | F3 | 25 mi | 49.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | F2 | 23 mi | 1.3 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | F2 | 15 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | F2 | 9 mi | 3.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | F2 | 7 mi | 4.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | F2 | 9 mi | 15 mi | 0 / 5 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | F2 | 25 mi | 10 mi | 0 / 4 |
| Jun 30, 1976 | F2 | 17 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 13, 1975 | F2 | 22 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | F2 | 11 mi | 10.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 38, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Great Barrington
The Storm Prediction Center has 47 hail reports within 10 miles of Great Barrington since 1955, made on 35 separate days. Of these, 28 were 1 inch across or larger, and 2 reached 2 inches. The largest size, 2 inches (hen egg size), was reported on 2 days, most recently June 20, 2001. The most recent report is from September 6, 2025. June has the most reports, 15.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Great Barrington
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Copake, NY, 12 miles southwest of Great Barrington at 550 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 83°F and low of 60°F; January is the coolest, at 34°F and 14°F. May is the wettest at 4.6 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.3 inches; the year adds up to 43.5 inches over 79 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 54% of the year's precipitation (23.5 of 43.5 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 32 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (14); a normal September there has highs of 73°F and 4.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 13 days a year, almost all from June to August. Lows fall below freezing on about 157 nights a year. Snowfall averages 49.6 inches a year, most of it in January. That 43.5 inches is more than at 6 of the 65 Massachusetts stations used on this site (9%). Lee, 10 miles northeast, has its own station (Pittsfield Municipal Airport, MA): 44.3 inches a year, 0.8 more than here, and a July average high of 79°F against 83°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 34 | 14 | 3.1 | 7 | 15.5 |
| Feb | 37 | 15 | 2.3 | 5 | 10.0 |
| Mar | 45 | 23 | 3.3 | 7 | 10.0 |
| Apr | 59 | 34 | 3.3 | 7 | 1.8 |
| May | 70 | 45 | 4.6 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 78 | 55 | 4.3 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 83 | 60 | 3.8 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 81 | 59 | 3.8 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 4.5 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 4.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Nov | 50 | 30 | 2.9 | 6 | 1.8 |
| Dec | 39 | 21 | 3.4 | 6 | 10.5 |
| Year | 59 | 37 | 43.5 | 79 | 49.6 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Copake, NY (550 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals. 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 Great Barrington
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 218 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Great Barrington: 189 thunderstorm wind reports, 13 flash floods, 13 floods, 2 lightning strikes and 1 heavy rain event. They killed 1 person and injured 1, and the NWS estimated $379,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 104 mph, on June 7, 1999. May has had the most flash floods, 6 of 13. Of the 339 Massachusetts cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 113 have had fewer than Great Barrington.
October 7, 2020: thunderstorm wind 2 miles from the centre of Great Barrington — 1 killed, $1,000 damage.
NWS: “A tree fell on a man on a golf cart at the Wyantenuck Country Club golf course resulting in a fatality. Time was estimated by radar.”
June 22, 2008: thunderstorm wind in Great Barrington — 1 injured, $8,000 damage.
NWS: “Trees and wires were reported down in Great Barrington due to strong thunderstorm winds. One downed tree and wires trapped 2 people in their vehicle, as a tree fell outside of The Country Dining Room Antiques Store on Main Street.”
June 7, 1999: thunderstorm wind 9 miles from the centre of Great Barrington — $100,000 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
Flood insurance policyholders in Great Barrington's ZIP code 01230 have filed 45 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979, and were paid $230,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The year with the most claims was 1979, with 22. 18% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 229 Massachusetts cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 123 have fewer than Great Barrington.
Berkshire County, which includes Great Barrington, has been named in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1985, 11 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 snowstorms, 6 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 27, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Berkshire County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively Moderate for hurricanes, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Low for tornadoes and hail; Very Low for heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $51.8 million a year, the 10th highest of 14 Massachusetts counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $41.4 million (80%), is from inland flooding.
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).
Risk ratings: FEMA, National Risk Index county table, December 2025 (v1.20), retrieved October 26, 2026; ratings compare counties nationwide, are meant for planning and are no substitute for a local risk assessment. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets 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.
Cities near Great Barrington
- Sheffield, MA6 mi
- Lee, MA10 mi
- Hillsdale, NY10 mi
- Canaan, CT12 mi
- Lenox, MA13 mi
- Salisbury, CT13 mi
- Becket, MA16 mi
- Chatham, NY16 mi
- Ghent, NY17 mi
- Millerton, NY18 mi
- Pittsfield, MA19 mi
- Pine Plains, NY21 mi
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