Yuma, AZ Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Yuma, AZ had?
Yuma has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Yuma?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Yuma was an EF0 on October 13, 2018.
When is tornado season in Yuma?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Yuma, 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Yuma
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 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 Yuma been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Yuma from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Yuma
About Tornadoes in Yuma
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.
Yuma, Arizona has experienced 7 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since modern record-keeping began in 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively low frequency reflects the desert Southwest's typically unfavorable conditions for tornadic development, though monsoon thunderstorms can occasionally produce brief twisters during the summer and early fall months.
All recorded tornadoes in the Yuma area have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds below 110 mph. The distribution includes 4 EF0 events and 3 EF1 events. None of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities, and property damage has been minimal. The costliest tornado on record occurred on September 23, 1987, when an F1 tornado caused $2,750 in property damage along a half-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards.
Tornado activity in Yuma shows a distinct seasonal pattern, with September accounting for 4 of the 7 recorded events. This peak aligns with the late-stage North American monsoon, when moisture from the Gulf of California can fuel strong thunderstorms capable of rotation. By decade, activity was highest during the 1960s with 3 tornadoes, followed by 2 in the 1980s, 1 in the 1970s, and 1 in the 2010s. No tornadoes have been recorded in the area during the 1950s, 1990s, 2000s, or 2020s through the present data cutoff.
The longest-tracked tornado in the Yuma area traveled 2.0 miles on July 5, 1965, rated F1 with minimal damage of just $25. The widest tornado reached 50 yards across on October 14, 2018, an EF0 event that caused no damage along a brief 0.1-mile path. This October 2018 tornado remains the most recent on record for the area.