Florence-Graham, CA Tornado History — 51 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Florence-Graham, CA had?
Florence-Graham has had 51 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Florence-Graham?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Florence-Graham was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Florence-Graham?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Florence-Graham, 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 Florence-Graham
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 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 Florence-Graham been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Florence-Graham from any of the 51 tornadoes since 1950, though 50 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Florence-Graham
About Tornadoes in Florence-Graham
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.
Florence-Graham, California, and the surrounding 25-mile area have experienced 51 tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This total places the region among the more tornado-active areas of Southern California, though the vast majority of these events have been weak. Of the 51 recorded tornadoes, 28 were rated EF0 and 18 were rated EF1, with only 5 reaching EF2 intensity. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record in this area resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity in the Florence-Graham area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 15 tornadoes, followed by the 1980s with 12 events. Activity was notably lower in the 1950s and 2010s, each recording just 2 tornadoes. The 2020s have already recorded 5 events through early 2025, including the most recent tornado—an EF0 that touched down on March 13, 2025, with a one-mile path and no reported damage.
Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, the Florence-Graham area shows a distinct pattern with January as the peak month, accounting for 10 of the 51 recorded events. This winter maximum reflects Southern California's unique climatology, where tornadoes often develop in association with strong Pacific storm systems moving through the region during the cooler months. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on damage indicators rather than direct wind measurements.
The costliest tornado on record struck on March 1, 1983, an F2-rated event that caused $27.5 million in property damage along a 3.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado occurred on November 9, 1982, also rated F2, which carved a 10-mile path up to 1,300 yards wide and caused $2.75 million in damage. The longest-track tornado was an F1 that traveled 10.9 miles on March 17, 1977, though it remained relatively narrow at just 10 yards wide while still generating $2.75 million in damages.