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Fontana, CA Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950

California · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Fontana, CA had?

Fontana has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Fontana?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fontana was an EF0 on September 9, 2012.

When is tornado season in Fontana?

May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fontana, with 5 on record. April through June account for 7 of the 16 tornadoes on record near Fontana.

At a Glance

Tornadoes Since 1950
16
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
0
0.0% of total
Peak Month
May
5 on record
Per Year Avg
0.2
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Fontana

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 0
2024 0
2023 0
2022 0
2021 0
2020 0
2019 0
2018 0
2017 0
2016 0
2015 0
2014 0
2013 0
2012 1
2011 0
2010 0
2009 0
2008 4
2007 0

What storm spotters reported near Fontana

One local storm report has been filed within 25 miles of Fontana and since confirmed into the NOAA archive, the earliest on May 9, 2025 and the most recent on May 9, 2025. It is already counted in the Fontana totals above; quoted below is the narrative the reporting office filed at the time.

May 9, 2025
1 NNW Fontana, San Bernardino County, CA
[Landspout] Time of occurrence is approximate. Dust devil did damage to a carport. (SGX)

Source: National Weather Service and trained-spotter local storm reports, relayed by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center.

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 1
1960s 1
1970s 2
1980s 2
1990s 3
2000s 6
2010s 1

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.

EF0 14
EF1 1
EF2 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 2
Feb 0
Mar 3
Apr 1
May 5
Jun 1
Jul 0
Aug 1
Sep 2
Oct 0
Nov 1
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Fontana been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Fontana from any of the 16 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Fontana

Costliest Tornado
EF2 on May 22, 2008 — $350K in reported property damage.
Widest Tornado
F0 on August 14, 2004 — 800 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF2 on May 22, 2008 — 2.8 mile track.
Most Recent
EF0 on September 9, 2012.

What the record shows near Fontana

The 2000s were the busiest decade near Fontana, with 6 of the 16 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2010s have produced 1 so far. The Fontana record runs from the 1950s to today.

Of the tornadoes rated near Fontana, 15 reached EF0 or EF1 and 1 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Fontana is rated EF2, of which 1 is logged.

Across the last 20 years Fontana has averaged 0.3 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 5 in total. 2008 was the busiest of them with 4, and 18 of those years passed with none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Fontana, CA had?
Since 1950, 16 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Fontana. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Fontana?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fontana, with 5 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Fontana?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fontana was an EF0 on September 9, 2012.
How do I get tornado warnings for Fontana?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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