Brea, CA Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Brea, CA had?
Brea has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Brea?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Brea was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Brea?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Brea, with 12 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 Brea
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 Brea been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Brea from any of the 58 tornadoes since 1950, though 20 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Brea
About Tornadoes in Brea
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.
Brea, California, experiences tornadoes far more frequently than many residents might expect for a Southern California community. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 57 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since 1950, with the vast majority rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. These events are typically brief, weak tornadoes associated with winter storm systems moving through the region, rather than the supercell thunderstorms common to the Great Plains.
The area's tornado activity peaked during the 1990s, when 19 tornadoes were recorded within the search radius. By contrast, the 2010s saw only 2 events, though activity has increased slightly in the 2020s with 5 tornadoes through early 2025. January stands out as the most active month, accounting for 12 of the 57 recorded tornadoes. This winter peak reflects the influence of strong Pacific storm systems and atmospheric instability that can develop when cold air aloft moves over relatively warmer surface conditions.
While the region has experienced three EF2 tornadoes since 1950, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. The widest tornado, an F2 event on November 9, 1982, carved a 10-mile path with a maximum width of 1,300 yards and caused $2.75 million in property damage. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on March 17, 1977, traveling 10.9 miles as an F1. The costliest event was a brief F0 tornado on January 18, 1993, which despite its weak rating and narrow 10-yard width caused $2.75 million in damage along a 0.1-mile path. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on March 13, 2025, traveling one mile with an 80-yard maximum width and causing no reported damage.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation. An EF0 tornado produces winds of 65-85 mph, while EF2 tornadoes generate winds of 111-135 mph. The predominance of EF0 and EF1 ratings in the Brea area reflects the generally weaker nature of California tornadoes compared to those in other parts of the country.