Prescott Valley, AZ Tornado History — 19 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Prescott Valley, AZ had?
Prescott Valley has had 19 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Prescott Valley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Prescott Valley was an EF0 on May 6, 2025.
When is tornado season in Prescott Valley?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Prescott Valley, with 6 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 Valley
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 Valley been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Prescott Valley from any of the 19 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Prescott Valley
About Tornadoes in Prescott Valley
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 Valley, Arizona has experienced 19 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's high-elevation desert climate, where tornadoes are far less common than in the central and southeastern United States. The majority of these events have been weak, with 15 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Two tornadoes reached EF1 strength, one achieved EF2 intensity, and a single event was rated EF3.
Tornado activity in the area has been sporadic across the decades. The 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s each recorded two tornadoes, while the 1980s saw none on record. The 1990s marked a noticeable increase with six documented events, followed by a quieter period with only one tornado in the 2000s and one in the 2010s. The 2020s have seen a resurgence with five tornadoes recorded through early 2025, including the most recent EF0 event on May 6, 2025, which traveled just 0.1 miles with a maximum width of 30 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
Unlike much of the country where tornado season peaks in spring, Prescott Valley's tornado activity is concentrated in late summer. August stands out as the peak month with six recorded events, likely associated with the North American monsoon pattern that brings moisture and atmospheric instability to Arizona during summer months. No tornadoes on record in the area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest and widest tornado occurred on September 27, 2014, when an EF0 twister carved a 2.1-mile path with a maximum width of 700 yards, causing $500,000 in property damage. The longest-tracked tornado on record was an EF0 on July 18, 2023, which traveled 5.5 miles but remained narrow at just 10 yards wide and caused no reported damage.