Maricopa, AZ Tornado History — 22 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Maricopa, AZ had?
Maricopa has had 22 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Maricopa?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Maricopa was an EF0 on October 16, 2022.
When is tornado season in Maricopa?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Maricopa, with 5 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 Maricopa
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 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 Maricopa been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Maricopa from any of the 22 tornadoes since 1950, though 48 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Maricopa
About Tornadoes in Maricopa
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.
Maricopa, Arizona has experienced 22 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in the desert Southwest compared to the Great Plains, the area has seen sporadic tornado activity over the past seven decades, with the majority of events occurring during the summer monsoon season when atmospheric moisture and instability increase across southern Arizona.
The intensity distribution of these tornadoes reflects their generally weak nature. Of the 22 recorded events, 12 were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds of 65-85 mph, while 8 reached EF1 intensity with winds of 86-110 mph. Only one tornado achieved EF2 strength, and one event remains unrated. Notably, no tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities on record, though property damage has occurred in several instances.
September stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Maricopa, with 5 events recorded during that month. This timing aligns with the latter portion of the Arizona monsoon season, when thunderstorm activity remains frequent but atmospheric patterns begin transitioning toward fall. The 1970s saw the highest decade of activity with 6 tornadoes, while the 2010s recorded 5 events. The 1980s had only a single documented tornado.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on August 31, 1971, when an F2-rated tornado carved a 4.7-mile path with a maximum width of 400 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. The widest tornado, measuring 1,500 yards across, touched down on July 22, 1984, as an F1 event. The longest-tracked tornado traveled 32.4 miles on September 2, 1971, maintaining an F1 rating along its narrow 10-yard-wide path. The most recent tornado occurred on October 16, 2022, a brief EF0 event that traveled just 0.3 miles with no reported damage.