NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Palmer, 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
45 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Palmer, Massachusetts since 1851, 9 of them at hurricane strength; the most recent was Henri in 2021. Since 1950, 65 tornadoes have touched down within 25 miles, 6 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 9
- Tropical storms
- 36
- Tornadoes
- 65
- EF3 or stronger
- 6
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
103 deaths in all
What the records show for Palmer
The strongest storm to pass near Palmer was an unnamed storm in 1869, a Category 2 hurricane with 106 mph winds when its centre passed 47 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Gloria in 1985, whose centre came within 12 miles. The record near Palmer begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Henri in 2021, a tropical storm 37 miles away. The 1860s and the 1890s were the busiest decades, with 5 systems each. Of the 45 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Of the 346 Massachusetts cities on this site, 65% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Palmer. The highest rating among the 65 tornadoes within 25 miles is F4, reached 2 times; the most recent, on October 3, 1979, came within 21 miles. The deadliest, an F4 on June 9, 1953, killed 94 people. Of the 65, one had a path within 5 miles of the city centre, and 21 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 19. The most recent tornado was on September 6, 2025. Palmer has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 94% of the 346 Massachusetts cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 70 times since 1963, with stones up to 1.75 inches (golf ball size). Palmer has more hail reports within 10 miles than 72% of the 346 Massachusetts cities.
Compare Palmer's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Palmer
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HenriAug 22 | 37 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2011 | IreneAug 28 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 3 |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 4 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 13 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 13 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1991 | BobAug 19 | 67 mi | Category 1 (94 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 12 mi | Category 1 (84 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 14 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 30 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | 28 mi | Category 1 (82 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (49 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1954 | CarolAug 31 | 31 mi | Category 2 (105 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 2 | 19 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormSep 15 | 62 mi | Category 1 (89 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1938 | Unnamed 1938 stormSep 21 | 34 mi | Category 2 (97 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (51 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1924 | Unnamed 1924 stormSep 30 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1923 | Unnamed 1923 stormOct 19 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 21 | 73 mi | Tropical storm (64 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 5 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (44 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormMay 31 | 40 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 16 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 36 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (62 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 24 | 49 mi | Category 1 (74 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 12 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 27 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 24 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (63 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 27 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormSep 8 | 47 mi | Category 2 (106 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1866 | Unnamed 1866 stormOct 30 | 70 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1863 | Unnamed 1863 stormSep 19 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormNov 3 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | overhead | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1858 | Unnamed 1858 stormSep 16 | 34 mi | Category 1 (77 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormOct 19 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
Strength is the sustained wind on the track at the closest point, which is not the wind felt in Palmer: 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 Palmer
By decade
- 2020s4
- 2010s12(1 EF3+)
- 2000s5
- 1990s1
- 1980s2
- 1970s12(3 EF3+)
- 1960s13
- 1950s16(2 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 9, 1953 | F4 | 22 mi | 34.9 mi | 94 / 1228 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | F4 | 21 mi | 11.3 mi | 3 / 500 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 5 mi | 37.58 mi | 3 / 200 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | F3 | 13 mi | 35.4 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | F3 | 21 mi | 0.5 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 10, 1954 | F3 | 19 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | F2 | 14 mi | 9.7 mi | 2 / 2 |
| Jul 24, 1975 | F2 | 18 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 27, 1972 | F2 | 24 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | F2 | 13 mi | 5.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 19, 1965 | F2 | 16 mi | 6.6 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | F2 | 11 mi | 3.8 mi | 0 / 0 |
The strongest 12 of 65, by rating and then by deaths. Ratings before February 2007 are on the original Fujita scale.
Hail in Palmer
The Storm Prediction Center has 70 hail reports within 10 miles of Palmer since 1963, made on 49 separate days. Of these, 28 were 1 inch across or larger, and none reached 2 inches. The largest size, 1.75 inches (golf ball size), was reported on 9 days, most recently April 26, 2019. The most recent report is from August 26, 2024. June has the most reports, 24.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Palmer
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Belchertown, MA, 7 miles north of Palmer at 550 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 82°F and low of 60°F; January is the coolest, at 33°F and 15°F. August and October are the wettest at 4.8 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.1 inches; the year adds up to 47.6 inches over 85 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 55% of the year's precipitation (26.0 of 47.6 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 45 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (18); a normal September there has highs of 73°F and 4.5 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 8 days a year, almost all from June to August. Lows fall below freezing on about 143 nights a year. Snowfall averages 47.5 inches a year, most of it in February. That 47.6 inches is more than at 20 of the 65 Massachusetts stations used on this site (31%). Monson, 6 miles south, has its own station (Staffordville, CT): 50.4 inches a year, 2.8 more than here, and a July average high of 81°F against 82°F.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 15 | 3.5 | 8 | 12.3 |
| Feb | 35 | 15 | 3.1 | 7 | 13.7 |
| Mar | 44 | 24 | 3.7 | 7 | 8.8 |
| Apr | 57 | 34 | 3.7 | 8 | 1.4 |
| May | 68 | 45 | 3.6 | 8 | 0.0 |
| Jun | 77 | 54 | 4.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Jul | 82 | 60 | 4.2 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Aug | 80 | 58 | 4.8 | 7 | 0.0 |
| Sep | 73 | 52 | 4.5 | 6 | 0.0 |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 4.8 | 7 | 0.2 |
| Nov | 49 | 31 | 3.5 | 7 | 1.5 |
| Dec | 38 | 22 | 4.0 | 7 | 9.6 |
| Year | 58 | 37 | 47.6 | 85 | 47.5 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Belchertown, MA (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 Palmer
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 212 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Palmer: 168 thunderstorm wind reports, 24 floods, 13 lightning strikes and 7 flash floods. They killed 0 people and injured 11, and the NWS estimated $3.2 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 98 mph, on July 26, 2011. July has had the most flash floods, 4 of 7. Of the 339 Massachusetts cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 69 have had fewer than Palmer.
July 8, 2004: lightning strike 8 miles from the centre of Palmer — 6 injured.
August 9, 2013: lightning strike 7 miles from the centre of Palmer — 3 injured, $1,000 damage.
June 27, 2007: lightning strike in Palmer — 1 injured.
NWS: “Lightning injured a person in Palmer. The injuries were reported to be minor.”
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
Hampden County, which includes Palmer, has been named in 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1985, 13 of them major disasters (by incident: 7 hurricanes, 6 severe storms, 6 snowstorms, 2 biological emergencies). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 27, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Hampden County a Relatively Moderate rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes, inland flooding and strong wind; Relatively Moderate for tornadoes, hail, lightning and heat waves. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $106.7 million a year, the 7th highest of 14 Massachusetts counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $74.6 million (70%), 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.