Somerton, AZ Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Somerton, AZ had?
Somerton has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Somerton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Somerton was a F1 on September 22, 1987.
When is tornado season in Somerton?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Somerton, with 4 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
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 Somerton been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Somerton from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Somerton
About Tornadoes in Somerton
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.
Somerton, Arizona has experienced six documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since record-keeping began in 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All of these events occurred between the 1960s and 1980s, with three tornadoes recorded in the 1960s, one in the 1970s, and two in the 1980s. The most recent tornado on record touched down on September 23, 1987.
The tornadoes documented near Somerton have been relatively weak, split evenly between EF0 and EF1 ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest, with winds of 65–85 mph) through EF5 (strongest, with winds exceeding 200 mph). Three tornadoes were rated EF0 and three were rated EF1, indicating wind speeds that generally ranged from 65 to 110 mph. None of these events resulted in fatalities.
September stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for four of the six recorded events. This late-summer timing differs from the traditional spring peak seen in many other parts of the United States, likely reflecting the influence of the North American monsoon season that brings increased moisture and thunderstorm activity to the Southwest during summer and early fall.
The costliest and widest tornado on record occurred on September 23, 1987, an F1-rated storm that caused $2,750 in property damage along a half-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The longest-track tornado touched down on July 5, 1965, traveling two miles with a narrow 10-yard width and causing only $25 in damage. The relatively modest damage figures and narrow path widths reflect both the low intensity of these storms and the sparse development patterns typical of the region during the decades when these tornadoes occurred.