Buena Park, CA Tornado History — 62 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Buena Park, CA had?
Buena Park has had 62 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Buena Park?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Buena Park was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Buena Park?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Buena Park, 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 Buena Park
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 Buena Park been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Buena Park from any of the 62 tornadoes since 1950, though 53 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Buena Park
About Tornadoes in Buena Park
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.
Buena Park, California, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than the nation's central plains, yet the area is not immune to these atmospheric phenomena. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 62 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since 1950. The vast majority of these events have been weak, with 35 rated EF0 and 22 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. Only five tornadoes reached EF2 strength, producing wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph.
Tornado activity in the Buena Park area shows notable variation by decade. The 1990s recorded the highest count with 19 tornadoes, while the 1950s and 2010s each saw only two events. The 1980s brought 12 tornadoes, including the costliest on record: an F2 tornado on March 1, 1983, that caused $27.5 million in property damage along a 3.5-mile path. Another significant event occurred on November 9, 1982, when an F2 tornado carved a 10-mile path and reached a maximum width of 1,300 yards, making it the widest tornado recorded near the city. The longest-tracked tornado was an F1 that traveled 10.9 miles on March 17, 1977.
Unlike much of the United States where tornado season peaks in spring and early summer, the Buena Park area sees its highest activity in January, with 12 tornadoes recorded in that month alone. This unusual pattern reflects Southern California's winter storm systems, which can occasionally produce the wind shear and instability necessary for tornado formation. The most recent tornado occurred on March 13, 2025, an EF0 event with an 80-yard width that traveled one mile and caused no damage or injuries.
Remarkably, none of the 62 tornadoes on record within 25 miles of Buena Park have resulted in fatalities. This outcome reflects both the generally weak intensity of local tornadoes and the relatively short paths they travel before dissipating. While tornadoes remain rare events in Southern California compared to other regions of the country, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the winter months when atmospheric conditions occasionally align to produce these rotating storms.