Banning, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Banning, CA had?
Banning has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Banning?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Banning was an EF0 on October 8, 2022.
When is tornado season in Banning?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Banning, 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 Banning
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 total, averaging 0.3 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 Banning been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Banning from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Banning
About Tornadoes in Banning
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.
Banning, California, has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in Southern California compared to the central United States, the region around Banning has seen a notable increase in recorded events in recent decades, with six tornadoes occurring in the 2000s alone. The vast majority of these tornadoes have been weak, with 12 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest).
The most significant tornado on record struck on May 22, 2008, earning an EF2 rating with maximum winds estimated between 111 and 135 mph. This event carved a 2.8-mile path with a maximum width of 75 yards and caused $350,000 in property damage, making it simultaneously the costliest, widest, and longest-tracked tornado in the area's history. Despite its relative strength, no fatalities resulted from this tornado. In fact, none of the 15 recorded tornadoes in the Banning area have caused any deaths.
May stands out as the most active month for tornado activity near Banning, with four events recorded during that month over the decades. This aligns with broader patterns of springtime severe weather, when atmospheric conditions more frequently support rotating thunderstorms. Beyond the single EF2 event, the area has recorded two EF1 tornadoes and twelve EF0 tornadoes, reflecting the typically weak nature of tornadoes in this region.
The most recent tornado occurred on October 8, 2022, an EF0 event that traveled 1.6 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards and caused no property damage or injuries. The historical record shows sporadic activity, with the first documented tornado in the 1950s, another in the 1970s, then increasing frequency from the 1990s forward. This uptick may reflect improved detection and reporting methods rather than an actual increase in tornado occurrence.