Chino Hills, CA Tornado History — 38 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Chino Hills, CA had?
Chino Hills has had 38 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Chino Hills?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Chino Hills was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Chino Hills?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Chino Hills, with 10 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 Chino Hills
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Chino Hills been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Chino Hills from any of the 38 tornadoes since 1950, though 19 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Chino Hills
About Tornadoes in Chino Hills
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.
Chino Hills, California, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than the Great Plains, but the region is not immune to these weather events. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 33 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of Chino Hills since 1950. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. Of these events, 23 were rated EF0 (winds 65-85 mph) and 10 were rated EF1 (winds 86-110 mph). Notably, no tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in this area during the period of record.
Tornado activity in the Chino Hills vicinity has varied considerably by decade. Only one tornado was documented in the 1950s, followed by two in the 1960s and four in the 1970s. Activity increased notably during the 1980s and 1990s, with six and twelve tornadoes respectively. The 2000s saw five events, while three tornadoes have been recorded in the 2020s. March stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for nine of the 33 total events. This seasonal pattern aligns with the broader tendency for tornadoes to form during spring months when atmospheric conditions favor severe thunderstorm development.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on January 18, 1993, when an F0 tornado caused $2.75 million in property damage despite traveling only 0.1 miles with a maximum width of 10 yards. The longest-tracked tornado touched down on March 17, 1977, carving a 10.9-mile path while also causing $2.75 million in damage. The widest tornado reached 200 yards across on November 11, 1997, though it produced no reported property damage along its 0.2-mile track. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on March 13, 2025, traveling one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and causing no injuries or property damage.
While Southern California tornadoes are typically weaker and shorter-lived than those in more tornado-prone regions of the United States, residents should remain aware that these events do occur. The Enhanced Fujita scale, implemented in 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, provides a standardized method for rating tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation. Even EF0 tornadoes can pose risks to mobile homes, vehicles, and outdoor structures.