Desert Hot Springs, CA Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Desert Hot Springs, CA had?
Desert Hot Springs has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Desert Hot Springs?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Desert Hot Springs was an EF0 on July 19, 2015.
When is tornado season in Desert Hot Springs?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Desert Hot Springs, with 2 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 Desert Hot Springs
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 Desert Hot Springs been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Desert Hot Springs from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Desert Hot Springs
About Tornadoes in Desert Hot Springs
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.
Desert Hot Springs, California, sits in a region not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, yet records from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center document seven tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950. These events have been relatively weak and short-lived, with the majority rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on observed damage. Four tornadoes received this lowest rating, while two were classified EF1 and one reached EF2 intensity.
The temporal distribution of these tornadoes shows sporadic occurrence across several decades. The 1970s and 1990s each recorded one event, while the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s each saw two, two, and one tornado respectively. Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak during spring months, the Desert Hot Springs area has experienced its highest activity in July, with two tornadoes recorded during that month. This summer pattern reflects the influence of monsoonal moisture that can occasionally interact with desert terrain to produce localized severe weather.
None of the tornadoes on record in the Desert Hot Springs area resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on August 1, 1983, when an F0 tornado caused $275,000 in property damage along a 0.3-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest and longest tornado tracked one mile with a maximum width of 200 yards on August 14, 2004, though this F0 event caused no reported damage. The most recent tornado, rated EF0, touched down on July 20, 2015, traveling 0.2 miles with a 50-yard width and causing no damage or injuries.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, implemented in 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates wind speeds based on damage indicators rather than direct measurement. An EF0 tornado produces winds of 65 to 85 mph, while EF1 tornadoes generate winds between 86 and 110 mph. The relatively low intensity and infrequent nature of tornadoes near Desert Hot Springs reflect the broader climatological patterns of Southern California's desert regions.