Sun City, AZ Tornado History — 39 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Sun City, AZ had?
Sun City has had 39 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Sun City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Sun City was an EF0 on November 29, 2019.
When is tornado season in Sun City?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Sun City, 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 Sun City
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 Sun City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Sun City from any of the 39 tornadoes since 1950, though 11 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Sun City
About Tornadoes in Sun City
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.
Sun City, Arizona has experienced 39 recorded tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Despite Arizona's reputation as a desert state not typically associated with severe weather, the region has seen tornado activity across multiple decades, with the highest concentration occurring during the 1990s when 10 tornadoes were documented. The 1970s also saw relatively frequent activity with 9 events, while the 2000s marked a notable lull with only a single tornado recorded.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Sun City have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado intensity based on damage. Of the 39 tornadoes on record, 22 were rated EF0, the weakest category, and 13 were rated EF1. Only 4 tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, and none have been recorded at EF3 or higher. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes in this area have resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred in several events.
August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the Sun City area, with 7 events recorded during this time. This summer peak differs from the traditional spring tornado season seen in much of the central United States, and reflects the influence of the North American Monsoon, which brings moisture and thunderstorm activity to the Southwest during summer months. The most costly tornado on record was an F2 that struck on June 22, 1972, causing $27.5 million in property damage along a 13.5-mile path, though its maximum width was only 10 yards. This same event also holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area.
The most recent tornado near Sun City occurred on November 29, 2019, when an EF0 tornado traveled 10.1 miles with a maximum width of 100 yards, causing $40,000 in damage. The widest tornado on record was also an EF0, occurring on the same day in November 2019, reaching 200 yards in width along an 8.8-mile path and causing $100,000 in damage.