MAINE Tornadoes in Maine? It happens more often than you might think

If you think there are no tornadoes in Maine, you would be wrong! Although there are not many each year, they do happen. Not only from severe thunderstorms, but any landfalling or near landfalling tropical storm or hurricane can generate them. Between 1950 and 1990, there were 74 tornadoes in Maine. You may also remember 2017, when several tornadoes touched down in Maine. On July 1, 2017, the National Weather Service in Gray issued 7 tornado warnings in New Hampshire and western Maine. Tornadoes happen more often in Maine than you might think. Here's the story from WGME-TV, Portland, Maine.

(Image of  7 Tornado warnings from  July 1, 2017. Credit: National Weather Service, Grey, Maine) 

Maine averages a couple of tornadoes every year

WGME , ABC -TV Channel 8, Portland, Maine

Maine is hardly tornado alley, but tornadoes are not uncommon in the state. In fact, Maine has, on average, two tornadoes every year.

In recent history, most of those tornadoes have been in the southwestern and central parts of the state

Peak tornado activity in northern New England is between June and August, but tornadoes have occurred as early as May and as late as November. Most tornadoes occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. and have an average forward speed of about 30 mph.

Between 1950 and 1990, there were 74 tornadoes in Maine. You may also remember 2017, when several tornadoes touched down in Maine.

On July 1, 2017, the National Weather Service in Gray issued 7 tornado warnings in New Hampshire and western Maine. At least five actual tornadoes were confirmed, causing significant property damage and minor injuries.

(Photo: NWS said  the Aug. 14, 2019 tornado was categorized as EF1, with winds whipping up to a maximum of 90 miles per hour. touched down in Kossuth Township in Washington County, near the New Brunswick border. Photo by David Coffin)

Until that day, the office had never issued more than 6 tornado warnings in an entire year. The Gray office issued 6 tornado warnings each in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

Until July 1, 2017 the most tornado warnings issued in a single day by the Gray office was 5 on June 1, 2011.

Due to the usual short life-span of tornadoes in northern New England, there is often little, if any, advance warning. Tornadoes in New England generally touch down and then lift off the ground very quickly.

Most tornadoes in Maine are also on the low end of the EF scale, but can still cause damage and be dangerous.