Arvin, CA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Arvin, CA had?
Arvin has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Arvin?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Arvin was an EF0 on June 2, 2019.
When is tornado season in Arvin?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Arvin, with 2 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 Arvin
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Arvin been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Arvin from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Arvin
About Tornadoes in Arvin
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.
Arvin, California has experienced six tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All six events were rated EF0, the weakest classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which indicates estimated wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph. These tornadoes typically cause minor damage to trees, signs, and roofing materials but rarely threaten well-constructed buildings.
Tornado activity near Arvin has been sporadic across the decades. One tornado occurred in the 1980s, three in the 1990s, and two in the 2010s. No tornadoes have been recorded in this area during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 2000s, or 2020s to date. April has been the most active month, with two tornadoes on record, though events have also occurred in June and November. The relative infrequency and low intensity of these storms reflect the generally less favorable conditions for tornadic development in California's Central Valley compared to regions with more frequent severe convective weather.
None of the tornadoes recorded near Arvin have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event on record occurred on April 20, 1988, causing $2,750 in property damage along a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The longest-tracked tornado touched down on November 22, 1996, traveling two miles with a path width of 10 yards but causing no reported damage. The widest tornado, with a maximum width of 50 yards, occurred on June 3, 2019, along a 0.2-mile path and also resulted in no property damage or injuries.
The most recent tornado near Arvin was the EF0 event on June 3, 2019. While tornadoes remain relatively rare in this part of California, the historical record demonstrates that weak tornadoes can develop under the right atmospheric conditions, particularly during the spring months when temperature contrasts and wind shear are more pronounced.