Burbank, CA Tornado History — 32 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Burbank, CA had?
Burbank has had 32 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Burbank?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Burbank was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Burbank?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Burbank, with 6 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 Burbank
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 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 Burbank been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Burbank from any of the 32 tornadoes since 1950, though 45 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Burbank
About Tornadoes in Burbank
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.
Since 1950, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has documented 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Burbank, California. While tornadoes are often associated with the Great Plains, Southern California experiences these events with some regularity, though they tend to be weaker and shorter-lived than their Midwestern counterparts. The majority of recorded tornadoes in the Burbank area have been rated EF0, with 19 such events, while 9 reached EF1 intensity and 4 attained EF2 status. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity near Burbank has varied considerably by decade. The 1980s saw the highest concentration with 9 tornadoes, followed by the 1990s with 6 events and the 1960s with 5. The 1970s and 2000s each recorded only 2 tornadoes, while the 2010s saw just 1. The current decade has already produced 4 tornadoes through early 2025, including an EF0 event on March 13, 2025, that traveled one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
March stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the region, accounting for 6 of the 32 recorded events. This aligns with broader patterns in California, where late winter and early spring storms can generate the atmospheric instability and wind shear necessary for tornado formation. The costliest tornado occurred on March 1, 1983, when an F2 tornado caused $27.5 million in property damage along a 3.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The longest-track tornado traveled 10.3 miles on November 7, 1966, while the widest reached 150 yards on November 9, 1982.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation. EF0 tornadoes produce wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph, EF1 tornadoes range from 86 to 110 mph, and EF2 tornadoes generate winds of 111 to 135 mph. All tornadoes recorded near Burbank have fallen within these lower intensity categories, reflecting the typical characteristics of West Coast tornadoes, which generally lack the extreme intensity seen in other parts of the United States.