Dana Point, CA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Dana Point, CA had?
Dana Point has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Dana Point?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Dana Point was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in Dana Point?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Dana Point, with 7 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 Dana Point
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 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 Dana Point been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Dana Point from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Dana Point
About Tornadoes in Dana Point
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.
Dana Point, California, situated along the southern Orange County coast, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than the nation's central plains, yet the area is not immune to these atmospheric phenomena. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 24 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of Dana Point since 1950, with the vast majority rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating relatively weak intensity with wind speeds below 110 mph.
The temporal distribution of these events reveals notable variation across decades. Activity was sparse in the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s, with only one to four tornadoes per decade. The 1990s saw a marked increase with 11 recorded tornadoes, followed by a decline to just three events in the 2000s. The most recent tornado on record occurred on September 22, 2007, an EF0 event with a brief 0.1-mile path and maximum width of 15 yards that caused no injuries or property damage.
Unlike much of the United States where tornadoes peak during spring and early summer months, the Dana Point area shows a distinct pattern with February accounting for seven of the 24 total events. This winter peak aligns with the region's cool-season storm systems that occasionally produce waterspouts over the Pacific Ocean or brief touchdowns along the coastal zone. Of the 24 tornadoes recorded, 15 were rated EF0, eight were rated EF1, and only one reached EF2 intensity, reflecting the generally weak nature of West Coast tornadoes compared to those in other parts of the country.
Remarkably, none of the tornadoes within 25 miles of Dana Point have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began in 1950. The costliest event occurred on January 18, 1993, when an F0 tornado caused $2.75 million in property damage despite its narrow 10-yard width and short 0.1-mile path. The longest-track tornado traveled 9.0 miles on February 8, 1994, while the widest reached 200 yards on November 11, 1997, though neither produced significant damage or injuries.