Prescott, AZ Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Prescott, AZ had?
Prescott has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Prescott?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Prescott was an EF0 on May 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Prescott?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Prescott, with 7 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 Prescott
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 Prescott been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Prescott from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Prescott
About Tornadoes in Prescott
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.
Prescott, Arizona has experienced 20 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the traditional spring tornado season that dominates much of the central United States, the Prescott area sees its peak tornado activity in September, which has recorded 7 events. This late-summer and early-fall pattern reflects the influence of the North American Monsoon, when increased atmospheric moisture and instability create conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in the Southwest.
The intensity distribution of these tornadoes shows that the vast majority have been weak, with 16 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which measures tornado damage on a scale from EF0 to EF5. Two tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, one was rated EF2, and one achieved EF3 strength. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record in the Prescott area have resulted in fatalities, reflecting both the generally weak nature of most events and the relatively low population density of affected areas.
Tornado activity near Prescott has been sporadic across the decades. The 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s each saw 2 tornadoes, followed by no recorded events in the 1980s. The 1990s marked the most active decade with 7 tornadoes, while the 2000s and 2010s each recorded just 1 event. The current decade has already seen 5 tornadoes through 2025, with the most recent occurring on May 6, 2025—an EF0 with a brief 0.1-mile path.
The costliest and widest tornado on record occurred on September 27, 2014, when an EF0 tornado carved a 2.1-mile path with a maximum width of 700 yards, causing $500,000 in property damage but no injuries. The longest-track tornado touched down on July 18, 2023, traveling 5.5 miles as an EF0 with a narrow 10-yard width and causing no damage. These events illustrate the variable nature of tornadoes in central Arizona's high-desert terrain.