Hermosa Beach, CA Tornado History — 38 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Hermosa Beach, CA had?
Hermosa Beach has had 38 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Hermosa Beach?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hermosa Beach was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Hermosa Beach?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hermosa Beach, with 8 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 Hermosa Beach
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 Hermosa Beach been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Hermosa Beach from any of the 38 tornadoes since 1950, though 50 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Hermosa Beach
About Tornadoes in Hermosa Beach
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.
Hermosa Beach, California, situated along the Pacific coast in Los Angeles County, has experienced 38 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively rare along the California coast compared to the central United States, this coastal region has recorded tornado activity across multiple decades, with the highest concentration occurring during the 1980s when 10 tornadoes were documented.
The tornadoes recorded near Hermosa Beach have been predominantly weak, with 19 rated EF0 and 14 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only five tornadoes reached EF2 intensity. Remarkably, no tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in this area since 1950. The costliest event occurred on March 1, 1983, when an F2 tornado caused $27,500,000 in property damage along a 3.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado on record struck on November 9, 1982, reaching 1,300 yards across and traveling 10.0 miles, while the longest-tracked tornado moved 10.9 miles on March 17, 1977.
March stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in this region, accounting for 8 of the 38 recorded events. This seasonal pattern aligns with the broader meteorological understanding that springtime conditions—when cold air masses from the north interact with warmer, moist air—can occasionally produce the atmospheric instability necessary for tornado formation, even in coastal California. The most recent tornado occurred on March 13, 2025, an EF0 event that traveled one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and caused no reported damage or injuries.
Tornado activity near Hermosa Beach has shown variability across decades, with a notable decline in the 2000s and 2010s compared to the 1980s and 1990s. The 2020s have already recorded 5 tornadoes through early 2025, suggesting continued sporadic activity in the region.