Bullhead City, AZ Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bullhead City, AZ had?
Bullhead City has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Bullhead City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bullhead City was a F1 on April 21, 2001.
When is tornado season in Bullhead City?
November is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bullhead City, with 3 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Bullhead City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Bullhead City from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bullhead City
About Tornadoes in Bullhead City
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Bullhead City, Arizona, has experienced five tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively low count reflects the region's desert climate, where the atmospheric conditions necessary for tornado formation occur infrequently compared to the central and southeastern United States. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF1 or weaker on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, with EF0 representing the weakest category and EF5 the most violent.
The temporal distribution of these events shows clustering in specific decades, with three tornadoes occurring during the 1990s, while the 1970s and 2000s each recorded one event. No tornadoes have been documented in the area during the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 2010s, or 2020s through present records. Of the five tornadoes, three were rated EF1 and two were rated EF0, indicating relatively minor wind speeds ranging from 65 to 110 miles per hour.
November stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Bullhead City, accounting for three of the five recorded events. This late-autumn timing differs from the traditional spring peak seen in much of the country, likely reflecting regional weather patterns unique to the desert Southwest. The costliest tornado on record touched down on September 18, 1972, causing $275,000 in property damage despite its brief 0.1-mile path and narrow 10-yard width. The widest and longest tornado occurred on November 23, 1996, carving a five-mile path with a maximum width of 400 yards, though it produced no monetary damage. The most recent tornado was recorded on April 21, 2001, traveling three miles with a 50-yard width.
Notably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities, and several caused no reported property damage despite their physical presence. This outcome reflects both the tornadoes' relatively weak intensity and the sparse population density characteristic of the Mojave Desert region surrounding Bullhead City.