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Scottsdale, AZ Tornado History — 53 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arizona · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Scottsdale, AZ had?

Scottsdale has had 53 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Scottsdale?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Scottsdale was an EF0 on October 16, 2022.

When is tornado season in Scottsdale?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Scottsdale, with 7 on record. April through June account for 10 of the 53 tornadoes on record near Scottsdale.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
53
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
0
0.0% of total
Peak Month
August
7 on record
Per Year Avg
0.7
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Scottsdale

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 10 total, averaging 0.5 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 0
2022 1
2021 0
2020 1
2019 5
2018 1
2017 1
2016 0
2015 0
2014 1
2013 0
2012 0
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 0
2007 0

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 4
1960s 5
1970s 16
1980s 6
1990s 11
2000s 1
2010s 8
2020s 2

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.

EF0 30
EF1 18
EF2 5

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 4
Feb 6
Mar 3
Apr 0
May 5
Jun 5
Jul 6
Aug 7
Sep 7
Oct 4
Nov 5
Dec 1

Have any tornadoes near Scottsdale been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Scottsdale from any of the 53 tornadoes since 1950, though 52 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Scottsdale

Costliest Tornado
F2 on June 21, 1972 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F1 on October 18, 1972 — 1,000 yards wide.
Longest Path
F1 on September 1, 1971 — 32.4 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on October 16, 2022.

What the record shows near Scottsdale

The 1970s were the busiest decade near Scottsdale, with 16 of the 53 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 2 so far. The Scottsdale record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Scottsdale, 48 reached EF0 or EF1 and 5 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Scottsdale is rated EF2, of which 5 are logged.

Across the last 20 years Scottsdale has averaged 0.5 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 10 in total. 2019 was the busiest of them with 5, and 14 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Scottsdale, AZ had?
Since 1950, 53 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Scottsdale. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Scottsdale?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Scottsdale, with 7 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Scottsdale?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Scottsdale was an EF0 on October 16, 2022.
How do I get tornado warnings for Scottsdale?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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