Fallbrook, CA Tornado History — 19 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Fallbrook, CA had?
Fallbrook has had 19 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Fallbrook?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fallbrook was an EF0 on October 8, 2022.
When is tornado season in Fallbrook?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fallbrook, 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 Fallbrook
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Fallbrook been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Fallbrook from any of the 19 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Fallbrook
About Tornadoes in Fallbrook
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.
Fallbrook, California has experienced 19 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All of these events have been relatively weak, with 14 rated EF0 and 5 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest, with winds 65-85 mph) to EF5 (strongest, with winds over 200 mph). No tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in the area during this period.
The frequency of tornadoes near Fallbrook has varied considerably by decade. Activity was minimal in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, with only four tornadoes total across those thirty years. The 1990s saw a notable increase with six events, followed by seven tornadoes in the 2000s. Activity declined again in recent decades, with just one tornado recorded in the 2010s and one in the 2020s. The most recent event occurred on October 8, 2022, when an EF0 tornado traveled 1.6 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards, causing no damage or injuries.
Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, the Fallbrook area shows an unusual seasonal pattern. February has been the most active month with six recorded tornadoes, reflecting California's winter storm season when atmospheric conditions occasionally support tornado development. The costliest tornado on record touched down on February 15, 1992, causing $27,500 in property damage along a half-mile path. The widest tornado, reaching 80 yards across, occurred on December 18, 1978, and traveled 0.8 miles while causing $27,500 in damage.
The longest-tracked tornado near Fallbrook was an EF0 event on February 8, 1998, which traveled three miles with a maximum width of 30 yards but caused no reported damage. The relatively small size and low intensity of tornadoes in this region reflect the different meteorological environment of coastal Southern California compared to areas where stronger tornadoes are more common.