Antelope, CA Tornado History — 25 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Antelope, CA had?
Antelope has had 25 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Antelope?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Antelope was an EF0 on November 18, 2020.
When is tornado season in Antelope?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Antelope, 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 Antelope
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 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 Antelope been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Antelope from any of the 25 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Antelope
About Tornadoes in Antelope
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.
According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 25 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Antelope, California since 1950. This total places the area outside the nation's most tornado-prone regions, yet the frequency of events has increased notably in recent decades. While only two tornadoes occurred in the 1970s and three in the 1980s, the 2010s saw 11 tornadoes, representing the most active decade on record for the area.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Antelope have been weak. Nineteen events were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. Five tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one attained EF2 strength. Importantly, no tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities within the search radius. This pattern of predominantly weak tornadoes is typical of California, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support the intense supercell thunderstorms that produce violent tornadoes in other parts of the country.
February stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, with six events recorded during that month. This winter peak differs from the spring maximum observed in the Great Plains and reflects California's wet season, when Pacific storm systems can occasionally generate the wind shear and instability needed for tornadogenesis. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on December 24, 2015, an EF1 event that carved a 6.2-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards and caused $1,000,000 in property damage. The widest tornado, an EF0 rated storm on January 11, 2017, reached 130 yards across during its brief 0.4-mile track.
The most recent tornado near Antelope touched down on November 18, 2020. This EF0 tornado traveled 4.4 miles with a maximum width of just 2 yards and caused no property damage or injuries. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in the Antelope area compared to the central and southeastern United States, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and that residents should remain aware of severe weather warnings during the winter and early spring months.