NHC HURDAT2 · SPC Tornado Database
Hurricanes and Tornadoes That Hit Stow, 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
47 tropical systems have passed within 75 miles of Stow, 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, 5 of them rated EF3 or stronger.
- Hurricanes
- 9
- Tropical storms
- 38
- Tornadoes
- 65
- EF3 or stronger
- 5
within 75 mi, since 1851
below hurricane strength
within 25 mi, since 1950
98 deaths in all
What the records show for Stow
The strongest storm to pass near Stow was an unnamed storm in 1869, a Category 2 hurricane with 104 mph winds when its centre passed 62 miles away. The closest pass by a hurricane was Donna in 1960, whose centre crossed the city. The record near Stow begins with an unnamed storm in 1851; the most recent system was Henri in 2021, a tropical storm 68 miles away. The busiest decade was the 1960s, with 6 systems, one of them at hurricane strength. Of the 47 systems, 6 have come since 2000. Of the 346 Massachusetts cities on this site, 65% have more hurricanes within 75 miles than Stow. The strongest of the 65 tornadoes within 25 miles was an F4 on June 9, 1953; its path came within 8 miles, and it killed 94 people. Of the 65, 4 had paths within 5 miles of the city centre, and 20 have come since 2000. July has had the most tornadoes, 21. The most recent tornado was on September 6, 2025. Stow has more tornadoes within 25 miles than 94% of the 346 Massachusetts cities. Hail has been reported within 10 miles 64 times since 1963, with stones up to 2.25 inches. Stow has more hail reports within 10 miles than 65% of the 346 Massachusetts cities.
Compare Stow's storm record with another city →
Tropical storms and hurricanes near Stow
| Year | Storm | Closest | Strength when closest | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | HenriAug 22 | 68 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2021 | ElsaJul 9 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2013 | AndreaJun 8 | 42 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2008 | HannaSep 7 | 24 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 1 |
| 2007 | BarryJun 4 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 2004 | HermineAug 31 | 71 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1999 | FloydSep 17 | 7 mi | Tropical storm (55 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1996 | BerthaJul 14 | 3 mi | Tropical storm (68 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1991 | BobAug 19 | 39 mi | Category 1 (89 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1985 | GloriaSep 27 | 39 mi | Category 1 (79 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1976 | BelleAug 10 | 47 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1971 | DoriaAug 28 | 58 mi | Tropical storm (54 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1968 | Unnamed 1968 stormSep 11 | 61 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1966 | AlmaJun 14 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1961 | EstherSep 26 | 72 mi | Tropical storm (53 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1961 | Unnamed 1961 stormSep 15 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (66 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1960 | DonnaSep 12 | overhead | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 4 |
| 1960 | BrendaJul 30 | 22 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1959 | CindyJul 11 | 64 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1954 | CarolAug 31 | 6 mi | Category 2 (100 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1952 | AbleSep 2 | 31 mi | Tropical storm (39 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1944 | Unnamed 1944 stormSep 15 | 39 mi | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 5 |
| 1934 | Unnamed 1934 stormSep 9 | 25 mi | Tropical storm (48 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1923 | Unnamed 1923 stormOct 19 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormJul 21 | 39 mi | Tropical storm (60 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1916 | Unnamed 1916 stormMay 17 | 4 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1915 | Unnamed 1915 stormAug 5 | 33 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1908 | Unnamed 1908 stormMay 31 | 11 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1907 | Unnamed 1907 stormJun 30 | 59 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1904 | Unnamed 1904 stormSep 15 | 62 mi | Category 1 (85 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1902 | Unnamed 1902 stormJun 17 | 23 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1899 | Unnamed 1899 stormNov 1 | 74 mi | Tropical storm (52 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1897 | Unnamed 1897 stormSep 24 | 9 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1896 | Unnamed 1896 stormSep 10 | 45 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1894 | Unnamed 1894 stormOct 10 | 6 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1893 | Unnamed 1893 stormAug 29 | 60 mi | Tropical storm (61 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormSep 12 | 28 mi | Tropical storm (40 mph) | Tropical storm |
| 1888 | Unnamed 1888 stormAug 22 | 26 mi | Tropical storm (47 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1878 | Unnamed 1878 stormOct 24 | 32 mi | Tropical storm (59 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1874 | Unnamed 1874 stormSep 30 | 16 mi | Tropical storm (69 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1872 | Unnamed 1872 stormOct 27 | 44 mi | Tropical storm (46 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormOct 4 | 62 mi | Category 2 (104 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1869 | Unnamed 1869 stormSep 8 | 12 mi | Category 2 (99 mph) | Category 3 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormNov 3 | 15 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1861 | Unnamed 1861 stormSep 28 | 12 mi | Tropical storm (58 mph) | Category 1 |
| 1858 | Unnamed 1858 stormSep 16 | overhead | Category 1 (75 mph) | Category 2 |
| 1851 | Unnamed 1851 stormOct 19 | 30 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 Stow: 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 Stow
By decade
- 2020s10
- 2010s7
- 2000s3
- 1990s1
- 1980s8(1 EF3+)
- 1970s12(2 EF3+)
- 1960s8
- 1950s16(2 EF3+)
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Killed / injured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 9, 1953 | F4 | 8 mi | 34.9 mi | 94 / 1228 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | F3 | 9 mi | 35.4 mi | 1 / 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | F3 | 22 mi | 7.1 mi | 0 / 3 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | F3 | 19 mi | 0.1 mi | 0 / 1 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | F3 | 21 mi | 28 mi | 0 / 17 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | F2 | 23 mi | 9.7 mi | 2 / 2 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 25 mi | 1.93 mi | 0 / 2 |
| Jul 21, 1972 | F2 | 14 mi | 7.6 mi | 0 / 4 |
| Aug 31, 1966 | F2 | 17 mi | 1 mi | 0 / 0 |
| Aug 28, 1965 | F2 | 21 mi | 2 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | F2 | 5 mi | 0.3 mi | 0 / 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | F2 | 10 mi | 1.5 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 Stow
The Storm Prediction Center has 64 hail reports within 10 miles of Stow since 1963, made on 34 separate days. Of these, 34 were 1 inch across or larger, and 4 reached 2 inches. The largest, 2.25 inches, fell on June 22, 1988. The most recent report is from June 6, 2025. July has the most reports, 21.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather reports, data through 2025.
Weather by month in Stow
The nearest NOAA station with 1991–2020 climate normals is Maynard 2, MA, 4 miles east of Stow at 205 feet. July is the warmest, with an average high of 87°F and low of 60°F; January is the coolest, at 37°F and 15°F. October is the wettest at 5.1 inches of precipitation on average and February the driest at 3.3 inches; the year adds up to 49.9 inches over 84 days with at least a tenth of an inch. June to November, the hurricane season months, bring 51% of the year's precipitation (25.4 of 49.9 inches); the other six months are drier. September has brought the most of the 47 tropical systems that passed within 75 miles (18); a normal September there has highs of 78°F and 3.9 inches of precipitation. Highs reach 90°F on about 22 days a year, almost all from May to September. Lows fall below freezing on about 147 nights a year. That 49.9 inches is more than at 47 of the 65 Massachusetts stations used on this site (72%). Harvard, 7 miles northwest, has its own station (Fitchburg Municipal Airport, MA): 43.5 inches a year, 6.4 less than here, and a July average high of 83°F against 87°F.
Sea level at the Boston tide gauge, 24 miles from Stow, has risen 1.17 ± 0.03 inches per decade from 1921 to 2025, NOAA's linear trend; at that pace it is 11.7 inches in a hundred years. That is faster than at 68 of the 144 U.S. gauges with a NOAA trend.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Precip. in | Days ≥ 0.1" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 | 15 | 3.6 | 8 |
| Feb | 41 | 16 | 3.3 | 6 |
| Mar | 49 | 24 | 4.6 | 8 |
| Apr | 62 | 34 | 4.4 | 7 |
| May | 73 | 45 | 3.7 | 8 |
| Jun | 81 | 55 | 4.2 | 7 |
| Jul | 87 | 60 | 4.0 | 7 |
| Aug | 85 | 58 | 4.4 | 7 |
| Sep | 78 | 49 | 3.9 | 7 |
| Oct | 66 | 38 | 5.1 | 6 |
| Nov | 54 | 29 | 3.8 | 7 |
| Dec | 43 | 21 | 4.9 | 7 |
| Year | 63 | 37 | 49.9 | 84 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at Maynard 2, MA (205 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 Stow
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged 208 flood, rain, thunderstorm wind and lightning events that began within 10 miles of Stow: 166 thunderstorm wind reports, 22 floods, 13 lightning strikes and 7 flash floods. They killed 0 people and injured 10, and the NWS estimated $2.2 million in property and crop damage. The strongest thunderstorm gust on record here was 81 mph, on July 22, 2016. Of the 339 Massachusetts cities on this site with a flash flood on record, 69 have had fewer than Stow.
July 27, 2014: lightning strike 1 mile from the centre of Stow — 4 injured, $200,000 damage.
NWS: “Lightning struck a house on Hudson Road, setting it on fire. News reports indicated the house was a total loss.”
May 19, 2026: thunderstorm wind 7 miles from the centre of Stow — 2 injured, $5,000 damage.
May 21, 2006: thunderstorm wind 10 miles from the centre of Stow — 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 Stow, has been named in 35 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1985, 19 of them major disasters (by incident: 9 severe storms, 8 snowstorms, 7 hurricanes, 5 floods). The latest major disaster declaration was Covid-19 Pandemic, on March 27, 2020. FEMA's National Risk Index gives Middlesex County a Relatively High rating for natural hazard risk overall; by hazard: Relatively High for hurricanes, inland flooding, strong wind and lightning; Relatively Moderate for tornadoes and heat waves; Relatively Low for coastal flooding; Very Low for hail. It models the county's expected loss from all 18 hazards it covers at $321.9 million a year, the highest of 14 Massachusetts counties; of the hazards above, the largest share, $224.4 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.