Glendale, AZ Tornado History — 42 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Glendale, AZ had?
Glendale has had 42 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Glendale?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Glendale was an EF0 on November 29, 2019.
When is tornado season in Glendale?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Glendale, with 8 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 Glendale
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 total, averaging 0.3 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 Glendale been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Glendale from any of the 42 tornadoes since 1950, though 53 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Glendale
About Tornadoes in Glendale
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.
Since 1950, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has documented 42 tornadoes within 25 miles of Glendale, Arizona. While tornadoes are often associated with the Great Plains, the desert Southwest experiences its own distinct tornado climatology, typically driven by monsoon thunderstorms and occasional winter storm systems. None of these events resulted in fatalities, though several caused significant property damage.
Tornado activity in the Glendale area has varied considerably by decade. The 1970s saw the highest frequency with 12 recorded tornadoes, followed by the 1990s with 10 events. In contrast, the 2000s recorded only a single tornado. The most recent event occurred on November 29, 2019, when an EF0 tornado traveled 10.1 miles with a maximum width of 100 yards, causing $40,000 in property damage. The majority of tornadoes in this region have been relatively weak, with 23 rated EF0 and 14 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
Unlike much of the United States where tornado season peaks in spring, the Glendale area experiences peak tornado activity in August, with 8 events recorded during that month. This pattern aligns with the North American monsoon season, when increased atmospheric moisture and instability create conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado on record struck on June 22, 1972, an F2-rated event that carved a 13.5-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $27.5 million in property damage. The widest tornado occurred on September 11, 1972, when an F1 tornado reached 700 yards in width along a 1.8-mile path, causing $2.75 million in damage.
Five tornadoes have reached EF2 intensity in the area since 1950, representing the upper end of the severity spectrum for this region. The relatively narrow width of most tornadoes, combined with the zero fatality record, reflects both the typically brief nature of desert tornadoes and the lower population density compared to more tornado-prone regions of the country.