Flagstaff, AZ Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Flagstaff, AZ had?
Flagstaff has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Flagstaff?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Flagstaff was an EF0 on June 23, 2022.
When is tornado season in Flagstaff?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Flagstaff, with 10 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Flagstaff
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 total, averaging 0.7 per year over this window.
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 Flagstaff been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Flagstaff from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950, though 7 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Flagstaff
About Tornadoes in Flagstaff
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.
Flagstaff, Arizona has experienced 20 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the high-elevation environment of northern Arizona, where tornado formation is less common than in the Great Plains or southeastern United States. None of these tornadoes have resulted in recorded fatalities, though several have caused property damage.
Tornado activity near Flagstaff has increased noticeably in recent decades. Only two tornadoes were recorded in the combined period from 1950 through 1989, while the 2010s alone saw 10 events. The 2000s contributed four tornadoes, and the 2020s have recorded two thus far. This uptick may reflect improved detection technology and reporting practices as much as any change in actual storm frequency.
October stands out dramatically as the peak month for tornado activity in the Flagstaff area, accounting for 10 of the 20 recorded events. This autumn concentration differs from the typical spring peak seen in many other parts of the country, likely related to the regional monsoon pattern and associated atmospheric instability that can persist into early fall in the Southwest. The Enhanced Fujita scale distribution shows that most tornadoes near Flagstaff have been relatively weak, with 11 rated EF0 and three rated EF1. However, five EF2 tornadoes and one EF3 tornado demonstrate that stronger events can occur.
The most significant tornado event on record occurred on October 6, 2010, when two substantial tornadoes touched down. An EF3 tornado—the strongest recorded near Flagstaff—carved a 30.1-mile path with a maximum width of 800 yards, causing $400,000 in property damage. That same day, an EF2 tornado with a 26.0-mile path and 500-yard width caused $1,000,000 in damage, making it the costliest tornado in the area's recorded history. The most recent tornado, an EF0 with a brief 0.1-mile path, occurred on June 23, 2022, causing no damage.