Fullerton, CA Tornado History — 60 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Fullerton, CA had?
Fullerton has had 60 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Fullerton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fullerton was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Fullerton?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fullerton, with 12 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 Fullerton
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 Fullerton been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Fullerton from any of the 60 tornadoes since 1950, though 23 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Fullerton
About Tornadoes in Fullerton
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.
Fullerton, California, experiences tornadoes far more frequently than many residents realize. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 60 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950, making this area of Southern California surprisingly active for tornado formation. These events have occurred across all decades of the modern record, with the 1990s seeing the highest concentration at 19 tornadoes, while the 2010s recorded just 2 events.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Fullerton have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Of the 60 recorded events, 34 were rated EF0 (the weakest category, with winds 65-85 mph), 22 were rated EF1 (winds 86-110 mph), and only 4 reached EF2 intensity (winds 111-135 mph). Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in any fatalities, though property damage has occurred. The costliest tornado struck on January 18, 1993, causing $2.75 million in damage despite being rated only F0 and traveling just 0.1 miles with a maximum width of 10 yards.
Unlike much of the central United States where tornado season peaks in spring, the Fullerton area sees its highest tornado activity in January, with 12 events recorded in that month alone. This winter peak reflects Southern California's unique weather patterns, where the region's limited tornado activity is often associated with winter storm systems moving through the area. The most recent tornado occurred on March 13, 2025, an EF0 event that traveled 1 mile with an 80-yard maximum width and caused no damage or injuries.
The widest tornado on record was an F2 that occurred on November 9, 1982, reaching a maximum width of 1,300 yards and traveling 10 miles, while the longest-track tornado was an F1 on March 17, 1977 that covered 10.9 miles. Both of these significant events also resulted in $2.75 million in property damage but no fatalities.