NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit North Stonington, 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
59 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of North Stonington, Connecticut since 1851, 14 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Ida in 2021. Since 1950, 11 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 0 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 14
- Tropical storms
- 45
- Tornadoes
- 11
- 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 North Stonington
The strongest storm to pass near North Stonington was an unnamed storm in 1869, a Category 3 hurricane with 115 mph winds when its centre passed 10 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Carol in 1954, whose centre came within 4 miles. The record near North Stonington begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Ida in 2021, a tropical storm 40 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1960s, with 6 systems, 2 of them at hurricane strength. Of the 59 systems, 8 have come since 2000. North Stonington is tied for the most hurricanes within 75 miles among the 186 Connecticut cities on this site. The highest rating among the 11 tornadoes within 25 miles is F1 or EF1, reached 6 times; the most recent, on September 13, 2023, came within 25 miles. Of the 11, one had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 8 have come since 2000. August and November have had the most tornadoes, 3 each. Of the 186 Connecticut cities, 98% have more tornadoes within 25 miles than North Stonington. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 16 times since 1998, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Of the 186 Connecticut cities, 95% have more hail reports within 10 miles than North Stonington.
Compare North Stonington's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near North Stonington
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | IdaSep 2 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 4 |
| 2021 | HenriAug 22 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 10 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 17 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 4 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2006 | BerylJul 21 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | HermineAug 31 | 49 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 35 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | JosephineOct 9 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1991 | BobAug 19 | 22 mi | Category 2 (101 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 55 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1985 | HenriSep 24 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 53 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 75 mi | Tropical storm (56 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1966 | AlmaJun 14 | 48 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1961 | EstherSep 21 | 71 mi | Category 1 (86 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 29 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 18 mi | Category 1 (87 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 11 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1955 | DianeAug 19 | 41 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1954 | EdnaSep 11 | 65 mi | Category 2 (109 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1954 | CarolAug 31 | 4 mi | Category 3 (113 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 2 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormOct 21 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormSep 15 | 13 mi | Category 2 (99 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 54 mi | Category 3 (113 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormJun 20 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1923 | Unnamed 1923 stormOct 19 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 21 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 5 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1913 | Unnamed 1913 stormOct 2 | 55 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormMay 30 | 2 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 34 mi | Tropical storm (43 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 23 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (41 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 10 | 64 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 20 mi | Tropical storm (70 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1889 | Unnamed 1889 stormSep 25 | 56 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormOct 12 | 57 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 12 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1882 | Unnamed 1882 stormSep 24 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1879 | Unnamed 1879 stormAug 19 | 41 mi | Category 1 (83 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1877 | Unnamed 1877 stormOct 5 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 27 | 8 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormOct 4 | 72 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormSep 8 | 10 mi | Category 3 (115 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormNov 3 | 1 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 52 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1858 | Unnamed 1858 stormSep 16 | 5 mi | Category 1 (81 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormOct 19 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in North Stonington: 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 North Stonington
By decade
- 2020s5
- 2010s3
- 1990s2
- 1960s1
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2023 | EF1 | 25 mi | 1.61 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF1 | 21 mi | 2.7 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF1 | 5 mi | 1.36 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 29, 2018 | EF1 | 14 mi | 1.96 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 14, 1992 | F1 | 18 mi | 0.2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Jul 19, 1963 | F1 | 24 mi | 12.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 21 mi | 1.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Nov 13, 2021 | EF0 | 17 mi | 6.13 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Oct 29, 2018 | EF0 | 1 mi | 2.33 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 10, 2012 | EF0 | 24 mi | 3.83 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 13, 1994 | F0 | 22 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 11 of 11, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in North Stonington
The Storm Prediction Center has 16 hail reports within 10 miles of North Stonington since 1998, made on 10 separate days. Of these, 13 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 2 days, most recently May 25, 2014. The most recent report is from August 15, 2024. May has the most reports, 5.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in North Stonington
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Westerly State Airport, RI, 8 miles southeast of North Stonington at 81 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 82°F and low of 66°F; January is the coolest, at 40°F and 25°F. October is the wettest at 4.3 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 2.8 inches; the year adds up to 42.9 inches over 73 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 50% of the year's precipitation (21.6 of 42.9 inches). September has brought the most of the 59 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (24); a normal September there has highs of 74°F and 3.8 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 3 days a year, almost all from July. Lows fall below freezing on about 109 nights a year. That 42.9 inches is more than at 3 of the 27 Connecticut stations used on this site (11%). Ledyard, 6 miles west, has its own station (Norwich Public Utility Plt, CT): 52.3 inches a year, 9.4 more than here, and a July average high of 84°F against 82°F.
Water temperature at the NOAA tide station New London, CT, 13 miles southwest, averaged 71°F in August and 39°F in February over 2021–2025. No month averaged 80°F. Sea level at the New London tide gauge, 13 miles from North Stonington, 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 | 40 | 25 | 3.3 | 6 | 41 |
| Feb | 41 | 26 | 2.8 | 5 | 39 |
| Mar | 47 | 32 | 4.2 | 6 | 43 |
| Apr | 57 | 41 | 3.9 | 7 | 49 |
| May | 67 | 50 | 3.3 | 7 | 56 |
| Jun | 75 | 59 | 3.6 | 7 | 64 |
| Jul | 82 | 66 | 2.9 | 5 | 71 |
| Aug | 81 | 64 | 3.5 | 5 | 71 |
| Sep | 74 | 57 | 3.8 | 5 | 70 |
| Oct | 64 | 47 | 4.3 | 6 | 63 |
| Nov | 54 | 38 | 3.5 | 6 | 55 |
| Dec | 45 | 30 | 3.8 | 7 | 46 |
| Year | 60 | 45 | 42.9 | 73 | 56 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Westerly State Airport, RI (81 ft), from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals; water temperature: average of hourly readings 2021–2025 at the NOAA tide station New London, 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 North Stonington
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 61 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of North Stonington: 29 thunderstorm wind reports, 13 flash floods, 13 floods and 6 lightning strikes. They killed 0 people and injured 16, and the NWS estimated $5.7 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 70 mph, on June 24, 2008. July has had the most flash floods, 7 of 13. Of the 186 Connecticut cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 38 have had fewer than North Stonington.
June 25, 2012: lightning strike 4 miles from the centre of North Stonington — 11 injured.
June 21, 2024: lightning strike 9 miles from the centre of North Stonington — 4 injured.
July 13, 2017: lightning strike 1 mile from the centre of North Stonington — 1 injured.
NWS: “A man was struck by lightning near the cattle barn at the North Stonington Fairgrounds.”
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 North Stonington's ZIP code 06359 have filed 16 claims with the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979, and were paid $174,000 for buildings and contents, in the dollars of each year. The most came from March 2010 Nor'easter in 2010: 11 claims (69% of all) and $146,000. 69% of the claims carry the name of a storm or flood event; the rest have no event name. Of the 128 Connecticut cities on this site with 10 or more claims, 18 have fewer than North Stonington.
| Event | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| March 2010 Nor'easter2010 | 11 | $146,000 |
New London County, which includes North Stonington, has been named in 30 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1978, 16 of them major disasters (by incident: 11 hurricanes, 9 severe storms, 7 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies). 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.