Adelanto, CA Tornado History — 17 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Adelanto, CA had?
Adelanto has had 17 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Adelanto?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Adelanto was an EF0 on September 9, 2021.
When is tornado season in Adelanto?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Adelanto, 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 Adelanto
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Adelanto been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Adelanto from any of the 17 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Adelanto
About Tornadoes in Adelanto
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.
Adelanto, California, located in the high desert of San Bernardino County, has experienced 17 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This modest total reflects the relatively low tornado frequency typical of Southern California's arid climate, where atmospheric conditions necessary for tornadic development occur far less often than in the central and southeastern United States.
The distribution of these events shows considerable variation across decades. The 1970s recorded the highest activity with six tornadoes, while the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s each saw only a single event. The 1990s brought four tornadoes to the area, and the 2010s recorded two, with the most recent occurrence on September 9, 2021—an EF0 tornado that traveled 1.8 miles with a maximum width of just 9 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
Intensity ratings for tornadoes near Adelanto have remained relatively low on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Twelve events were classified as EF0, representing weak tornadoes with winds between 65 and 85 mph. Four reached EF1 intensity, with winds from 86 to 110 mph, and only one attained EF2 strength. The costliest tornado on record was an F1 event on September 5, 1976, which caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path. The longest-track tornado occurred on May 18, 1997, when an F1 traveled 9.0 miles with a maximum width of 40 yards, while the widest reached 800 yards on August 14, 2004.
September stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the Adelanto area, accounting for seven of the 17 recorded events. This late-summer concentration likely relates to monsoonal moisture patterns that occasionally interact with atmospheric instability over the desert region. Notably, no tornadoes in the area's recorded history have resulted in fatalities, and the majority caused no reported property damage.