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Tempe Junction, AZ Tornado History — 52 Tornadoes Since 1950

Arizona · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Tempe Junction, AZ had?

Tempe Junction has had 52 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Tempe Junction?

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

When is tornado season in Tempe Junction?

August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Tempe Junction, 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
52
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 Tempe Junction

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 9 total, averaging 0.5 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 0
2022 1
2021 0
2020 0
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 1

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 29
EF1 18
EF2 5

Tornadoes by Month

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

Have any tornadoes near Tempe Junction been fatal?

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

Notable Tornadoes Near Tempe Junction

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.

About Tornadoes in Tempe Junction

This overview was written July 28, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.

Tempe Junction lies in the Salt River Valley of Maricopa County, at the heart of the Phoenix metropolitan area, where tornado activity tends to arrive with the summer monsoon and, at times, with cool-season Pacific storm systems.

On August 31, 1971, an F2 tornado tracked 4.7 miles through the area on a path up to 400 yards wide, injuring 41 people and causing $2,750,000 in property damage. The following summer brought another destructive event: on June 22, 1972, an F2 stayed on the ground for 13.5 miles while remaining only about 10 yards wide, injuring 3 people and causing $27,500,000 in damage. A few years earlier, on July 5, 1968, an F2 injured 2 people along a short path near the city.

The desert's cool season has produced tornadoes here as well. An F2 on January 17, 1993 traveled 2.1 miles and caused $2,750,000 in damage, and F0 tornadoes touched down on February 13, 1992. Recent activity has included EF0 tornadoes recorded on November 29, 2019, and an EF0 that touched down on October 16, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Tempe Junction, AZ had?
Since 1950, 52 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Tempe Junction. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Tempe Junction?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Tempe Junction, 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 Tempe Junction?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Tempe Junction was an EF0 on October 16, 2022.
How do I get tornado warnings for Tempe Junction?
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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