NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Medford, NY
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
58 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Medford, New York since 1851, 12 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 21 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 12
- Tropical storms
- 46
- Tornadoes
- 21
- EF3 or stronger
- 0
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
no recorded deaths
What the records show for Medford
The strongest storm to pass near Medford was an unnamed storm in 1938, a Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds when its centre passed 4 miles away. The record near Medford begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 18 miles away. Of the 58 systems, 8 have come since 2000. Medford has more hurricanes within 75 miles than 87% of the 809 New York cities on this site. The strongest of the 21 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F2 on July 10, 1989; its path came within 11 miles. Of the 21, 2 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 12 have come since 2000. August and November have had the most tornadoes, 5 each. The most recent tornado was on September 25, 2022. Of the 809 New York cities, 73% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than Medford. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 39 times since 1990, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 809 New York cities, 52% have more hail reports within 10 miles than Medford.
Compare Medford's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Medford
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 18 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | HenriAug 22 | 63 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 4 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2001 | AllisonJun 17 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1991 | BobAug 19 | 55 mi | Category 2 (106 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 12 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1985 | HenriSep 24 | 21 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1972 | AgnesJun 22 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 5 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 8 mi | Category 2 (98 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 11 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | CarolAug 31 | 37 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 1 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 21 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormSep 15 | 29 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormAug 3 | 69 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 4 mi | Category 3 (120 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | overhead | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 19 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (67 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 4 | 46 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormMay 30 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 54 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 26 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1900 | Unnamed 1900 stormOct 14 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 8 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 44 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 25 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormOct 12 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 12 | overhead | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 19 | 51 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 26 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormSep 8 | 52 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormNov 3 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1858 | Unnamed 1858 stormSep 16 | 37 mi | Category 1 (92 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1856 | Unnamed 1856 stormAug 20 | 62 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormOct 19 | 65 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Medford: 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 Medford
By decade
- 2020s6
- 2010s4
- 2000s2
- 1990s6
- 1980s2
- 1970s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 10, 1989 | F2 | 11 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF1 | 6 mi | 5.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 18, 2007 | EF1 | 12 mi | 0.67 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 30, 1998 | F1 | 9 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jun 30, 1998 | F1 | 7 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 19, 1991 | F1 | 12 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 5, 1981 | F1 | 23 mi | 2.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 18, 1973 | F1 | 13 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Sep 25, 2022 | EF0 | 25 mi | 2.1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 24 mi | 8.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 15 mi | 3.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 3 mi | 1.28 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 21, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Medford
The Storm Prediction Center has 39 hail reports within 10 miles of Medford since 1990, made on 25 separate days. Of these, 19 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 3 days, most recently August 4, 2015. The most recent report is from August 26, 2024. August has the most reports, 17.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Medford
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Shirley Brookhaven Airport, NY, 6 miles east of Medford at 82 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 83°F and low of 66°F; January is the coolest, at 39°F and 24°F. March is the wettest at 4.6 inches of precipitation on average and January and August the driest at 3.0 inches; the year adds up to 44.3 inches over 75 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 49% of the year's precipitation (21.5 of 44.3 inches); the other six months are wetter. September has brought the most of the 58 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (23); a normal September there has highs of 74°F and 3.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 7 days a year, almost all from June to August. Lows fall below freezing on about 104 nights a year. That 44.3 inches is more than at 74 of the 137 New York stations used on this site (54%). Farmingville, 3 miles west, has its own station (Islip Li Macarthur Airport, NY): 46.1 inches a year, 1.8 more than here, and the same July average high, 83°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 39 | 24 | 3.0 | 6 |
| Feb | 41 | 25 | 3.1 | 6 |
| Mar | 47 | 31 | 4.6 | 7 |
| Apr | 58 | 40 | 4.1 | 7 |
| May | 68 | 49 | 3.5 | 7 |
| Jun | 77 | 60 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Jul | 83 | 66 | 3.2 | 5 |
| Aug | 81 | 65 | 3.0 | 6 |
| Sep | 74 | 57 | 3.9 | 5 |
| Oct | 64 | 46 | 4.0 | 6 |
| Nov | 54 | 37 | 3.7 | 6 |
| Dec | 45 | 29 | 4.5 | 8 |
| Year | 61 | 44 | 44.3 | 75 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Shirley Brookhaven Airport, NY (82 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 Medford
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 173 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Medford: 107 thunderstorm wind reports, 55 flash floods, 8 lightning strikes, 2 floods and 1 heavy rain event. They killed 0 people and injured 14, and the NWS estimated $454,000 in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 96 mph, on August 4, 2015. August has had the most flash floods, 35 of 55. Of the 798 New York cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 557 have had fewer than Medford.
July 19, 2013: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of Medford — 12 injured.
October 11, 2010: lightning strike 7 miles from the centre of Medford — 1 injured.
July 26, 2012: lightning strike 5 miles from the centre of Medford — 1 injured.
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 Medford's ZIP code 11763 have filed 29 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1978, and were paid $142,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. 21% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 549 New York cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 184 have fewer than Medford.
Suffolk County, which includes Medford, has been named in 36 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1965, 25 of them major disasters (by incident: 13 hurricanes, 9 severe storms, 5 snowstorms, 3 floods). The latest major disaster declaration was Severe Storm and Flooding, on October 21, 2024. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Suffolk County a Relatively High rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Very High for coastal flooding and lightning; Relatively High for hurricanes, inland flooding and strong wind; Relatively Moderate for tornadoes and heat waves; Relatively Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $320.5 million a year, the 3rd highest of 62 New York counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $193.3 million (60%), 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.