Vermont experiences relatively infrequent severe weather compared to the central United States, with 50 confirmed tornadoes, 821 hailstorm events and 2,285 damaging-wind events recorded by the National Weather Service since 1950. The state ranks among the lowest in the country for tornado frequency, and averages 0.7 tornadoes per year over the 75-year record. Vermont’s severe-weather record is dominated by winter storms, nor’easters and infrequent but occasionally damaging summer tornadoes. The interactive map below plots every significant severe-weather event in Vermont from the official NOAA Storm Events Database (1950 through September 2025).
Use the map to find your county, click any marker for the date, magnitude, and casualty details of that event, and switch between tornadoes, hail and wind using the chips. For the national view across all 50 states, see our NOAA Storm Reports interactive map. For tornado tracks specifically, see the US Tornado Tracks map; for hail size and frequency, the US Hailstorms map.
Vermont Severe Weather by the Numbers (1950–2025)
- 50 tornadoes recorded between 1950 and 2025
- 14 violent tornadoes rated F2/EF2 or stronger
- 821 hailstorm events recorded by the NWS
- 2,285 damaging-wind events on record
- 0.7 tornadoes per year on average across the 75-year record
- July is the peak severe-weather month, accounting for roughly 34% of Vermont tornadoes
- 39 total direct deaths from all severe-weather event types tracked by the NWS
When Vermont Severe Weather Happens
Vermont tornado activity peaks in spring, with March through June accounting for about 44% of all events. The single busiest month is July, which alone produces around 34% of recorded tornadoes.
- July: 17 tornadoes (34%) — peak month
- June: 11 tornadoes (22%)
- May: 9 tornadoes (18%)
- August: 9 tornadoes (18%)
- March: 2 tornadoes (4%)
- September: 1 tornado (2%)
Top 10 Vermont Counties by Tornado Frequency
Tornado activity in Vermont is geographically broad, but a handful of counties have logged many times the state average. The combination of population density (more spotters and damage reports), county land area and local climatology drives the rankings below.
| County | Tornadoes since 1950 |
|---|---|
| Franklin | 8 |
| Bennington | 6 |
| Chittenden | 5 |
| Orleans | 5 |
| Windham | 5 |
| Addison | 4 |
| Windsor | 4 |
| Essex | 3 |
| Lamoille | 3 |
| Orange | 3 |
Vermont Tornado Strength Distribution
Most Vermont tornadoes are weak: roughly 71% are rated F0/EF0 or F1/EF1. Violent tornadoes (F2+/EF2+) account for around 28.6% of rated tornadoes in the state.
- F0/EF0 (weak): 13 tornadoes — 26.5% of rated events
- F1/EF1: 22 tornadoes — 44.9% of rated events
- F2/EF2 (strong): 14 tornadoes — 28.6% of rated events
Record-Setting Severe Weather in Vermont
Largest hailstone: 3.30 inches in diameter, observed in Chittenden County near Westford on July 16, 2009. The three largest hailstones on record in Vermont measured 3.30″, 3.25″, 3.00″.
Highest measured wind gust: 66 knots (76 mph) recorded in Bennington County near Bennington Arpt on February 17, 2006. Most damaging-wind events in Vermont are estimated rather than measured because anemometers are sparse across the rural areas where supercells most often produce destructive thunderstorm winds.
How Vermont Compares Nationally
Vermont ranks among the lowest in the country for tornado frequency, with severe-weather activity well below the central-US average.
- Tornadoes (top 5): Texas (9,908), Kansas (4,890), Oklahoma (4,856), Florida (3,779), Iowa (3,417).
- Vermont tornado total: 50 — ranked 47th nationally.
- Vermont hail total: 821 hail events on record since 1950.
- Vermont wind total: 2,285 damaging-wind events on record since 1950.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many tornadoes does Vermont have on average per year?
Vermont averages 0.7 tornadoes per year over the 1950–2025 period. Counts vary widely year to year, but the long-term mean over 75 years of NWS records is a reliable benchmark for typical activity.
Where in Vermont are tornadoes most common?
The single county with the most tornadoes on record is Franklin County with 8 events. The three most active counties overall are Franklin, Bennington, Chittenden.
How does Vermont compare to its neighbors?
Vermont shares a severe-weather climate with New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts. Severe storms regularly cross state lines, so the same supercells, hail cores and wind events often appear in Vermont’s neighbors’ records on the same date.
How recent is the data on this map?
The map and statistics on this page are pulled from NOAA’s official Storm Events Database, which currently runs from January 1950 through September 2025. New records typically appear in the database within 30–90 days of the event date, once damage surveys and ratings are complete.
Compare Vermont to Neighboring States
Severe weather doesn’t stop at state lines. The same supercell systems that produce Vermont tornadoes regularly cross into neighboring states. Compare Vermont’s storm history to its land neighbors:
- New York severe storm history — ranked 30th nationally, Great Lakes severe-weather and lake-effect winters
- New Hampshire severe storm history — ranked 44th nationally, Northeast nor’easter corridor
- Massachusetts severe storm history — ranked 37th nationally, Northeast nor’easter corridor
Explore the national NOAA Storm Reports map · US Tornado Tracks map · US Hailstorms map
