National Weather ServiceMassachusettsHigh Wind WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
High Wind Warnings in Massachusetts
The National Weather Service issued 10 high wind warnings for Massachusetts in 2025 and 9 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 27th most of any state. 2026 through September: 5, in line with the average of 5 for those months in 2008-2025. Nantucket was covered most often (118 times since 2008).
How many high wind warnings does Massachusetts get?
Every high wind warning that covered part of Massachusetts. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 5 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2008 | 10 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Massachusetts get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Massachusetts?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantucket | 118 | 17 | September 25, 2026 |
| Barnstable | 111 | 14 | September 25, 2026 |
| Dukes | 99 | 13 | September 25, 2026 |
| Eastern Plymouth | 64 | 9 | September 25, 2026 |
| Eastern Essex | 58 | 10 | September 25, 2026 |
| Southern Plymouth | 55 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Southern Bristol | 53 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Eastern Norfolk | 51 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Suffolk | 47 | 8 | September 25, 2026 |
| Western Plymouth | 43 | 5 | March 16, 2026 |
| Northern Bristol | 41 | 5 | March 16, 2026 |
| Southeast Middlesex | 39 | 4 | March 16, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest high wind warnings for Massachusetts in AreaZine's record
NWS Boston/NortonWarningSeptember 26, 2026
High Wind Warning: Eastern Essex, Suffolk, Eastern Norfolk and 10 more, MA and RI
Expired 8:00 a.m. EDT, September 27, 2026
NWS Boston/NortonWarningMay 29, 2026
High Wind Warning: Barnstable and Nantucket, MA
Expired 8:00 p.m. EDT, May 30, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a high wind warning?
A high wind warning means sustained winds of 40 mph or more for an hour or longer, or gusts of 58 mph or more, in most offices; some mountain and coastal offices use higher values. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in Massachusetts.