San Tan Valley, AZ Tornado History — 27 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Tan Valley, AZ had?
San Tan Valley has had 27 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Tan Valley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Tan Valley was an EF0 on October 16, 2022.
When is tornado season in San Tan Valley?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Tan Valley, 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 San Tan Valley
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 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 San Tan Valley been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Tan Valley from any of the 27 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Tan Valley
About Tornadoes in San Tan 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.
San Tan Valley, Arizona, located in the Sonoran Desert southeast of Phoenix, has experienced 27 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in Arizona compared to the Great Plains, the state does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the summer monsoon season when moisture and atmospheric instability increase.
The majority of tornadoes recorded near San Tan Valley have been weak, with 14 rated EF0 and 12 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Only one tornado reached EF2 intensity. None of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. The most active decade was the 1970s with 8 tornadoes, while the 1990s saw 6 events and the 1980s recorded 5. Activity has been lower in recent decades, with 4 tornadoes in the 2010s and 1 in the 2020s.
July has been the peak month for tornado activity in the area with 5 events, reflecting the influence of the North American monsoon that typically brings thunderstorms to southern Arizona from July through September. The costliest tornado occurred on February 13, 1995, when an F1 tornado caused $2,750,000 in property damage along a half-mile path. The widest tornado on record touched down on July 22, 1984, reaching a maximum width of 1,500 yards, while the longest-tracked tornado traveled 32.4 miles on September 2, 1971.
The most recent tornado in the area was an EF0 that occurred on October 16, 2022, traveling 0.3 miles with a maximum width of 25 yards and causing no damage or injuries. While tornado risk in the San Tan Valley area remains relatively low compared to many other regions of the United States, the historical record demonstrates that these events do occur and can cause property damage when they develop.