List of Connecticut tornadoes

Picture of a house destroyed by the Wallingford Tornado of 1878

Although historically the U.S. state of Connecticut is not typically known to fall casualty to tornadoes, more than 100 of these powerful storms have affected the state in modern history, resulting in at least 48 deaths, 780 injuries, and more than $500 million in damage.[1][2] This list of tornadoes in the state is likely incomplete, as official records date back only to 1950 for tornadoes in the United States.[1]

As with most of the northeastern United States, the number of tornadoes peaks in the summer months, normally in July or August. Hartford County has had the most tornadoes in the state, although since 1950 Litchfield County has reported the most tornadoes. Several areas have been struck more than once, and Waterbury has been struck by no less than four tornadoes since 1955.

From 1953 to 1991, Connecticut recorded an average of about 1.3 tornadoes per year, ranked 43rd in the United States.[3] Although Connecticut tornadoes are typically weak, isolated events can be violent. Three tornadoes of F4 intensity have affected the state in its history, as well as at least 27 tornadoes of F2 intensity or greater. Outbreaks of three or more tornadoes in a single day occurred in 1786, 1787, 1878, 1973, 1989, 1998, and 2001. The year 1973 was particularly active; eight tornadoes occurred on six separate days. The 1878 Wallingford tornado killed at least 29 and likely 34 people in Wallingford, the most by any tornado event in Connecticut history.

Before 1850

1850–1949

1950–1974

Tornado tracks from 1950 to 1999 in Connecticut, with their ratings on the Fujita scale

1975–1999

NEXRAD radar loop of the supercell, with a visible hook echo, which produced the May 29, 1995 tornado in Southbury

2000–present

Damage to a power pole in Shelton from the July 31, 2009 tornado

See also

References

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  2. Tornado Safety Rules Worth Reviewing Hartford Courant Online. Accessed 2008-05-13.
  3. Grazulis, p. 18
  4. 4.0 4.1 Ludlam, pg. 201
  5. Grazulis, p. 552
  6. Ludlam, pp. 4–5
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 "The hurricanes of the past". The New York Times. 1878-08-13. p. 2.
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  10. Ludlam, pp. 11–12
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  12. Cerveny, p. 317
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Grazulis, p. 554
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Grazulis, p. 555
  15. Grazulis, p. 556
  16. 16.0 16.1 Grazulis, p. 559
  17. Cerveny, p. 43
  18. 18.0 18.1 Ludlam, pg. 203
  19. Ludlam, pg. 204
  20. Grazulis, p. 577
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  22. "Furious storm in Connecticut". The New York Times. 1877-08-19. p. 7.
  23. Grazulis, p. 596
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  27. Grazulis, p. 617
  28. "Great damage elsewhere". The New York Times. 1885-08-26. p. 1.
  29. Grazulis, p. 641
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  32. "Great Electrical Storm". Bridgeport Evening Farmer. 1901-09-16. p. 1.
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  42. Grazulis, p. 904
  43. 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 43.7 43.8 43.9 43.10 43.11 43.12 43.13 43.14 43.15 43.16 43.17 43.18 43.19 43.20 43.21 43.22 43.23 43.24 43.25 43.26 43.27 43.28 43.29 43.30 43.31 43.32 43.33 43.34 43.35 43.36 Data from the Storm Prediction Center archives, which are accessible through SeverePlot, free software created and maintained by John Hart, lead forecaster for the SPC.
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  47. Grazulis, p. 980
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  49. "Event Record Details, 19 Jun 1957, 1400 CST". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  50. "Event Record Details, 15 Aug 1958, 1150 CST". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  51. "Event Record Details, 21 Aug 1958, 1915 CST". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
  52. "Event Record Details, 07 Sep 1958, 1510 CST". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-13.
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  54. "Event Record Details, 30 May 1959, 1430 CST". National Climatic Data Center. 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
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  56. Grazulis, p. 1127
  57. Grazulis, p. 1144
  58. Grazulis, p. 1216
  59. Grazulis, p. 1261
  60. Grazulis, p. 1289
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Book citations

External links