Imperial Beach, CA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Imperial Beach, CA had?
Imperial Beach has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Imperial Beach?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Imperial Beach was a F0 on February 23, 2005.
When is tornado season in Imperial Beach?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Imperial Beach, with 4 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
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 Imperial Beach been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Imperial Beach from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Imperial Beach
About Tornadoes in Imperial 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.
Imperial Beach, California has experienced 9 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's coastal Southern California location, where tornado formation is far less common than in the central and southeastern United States. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 6 classified as EF0 and 3 as EF1, indicating relatively weak intensity with maximum wind speeds below 110 mph.
Tornado activity in the Imperial Beach area has been sporadic across the decades. The 1980s saw the highest concentration with 3 events, while the 1970s and 1990s each recorded 2 tornadoes. Single tornadoes occurred in the 1950s and 2000s. February stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 4 of the 9 total events. This winter peak is unusual compared to the spring maximum typical of the Great Plains, but aligns with the Pacific storm season when atmospheric dynamics occasionally produce weak tornadoes along the California coast.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on March 19, 1991, an F1-rated event that carved a 1.0-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards and caused $275,000 in property damage. This tornado holds the distinction of being simultaneously the costliest, widest, and longest-tracked tornado documented near Imperial Beach. Despite its relative strength for the area, it caused no fatalities. In fact, none of the tornadoes recorded in the Imperial Beach vicinity have resulted in any deaths.
The most recent tornado touched down on February 23, 2005, rated F0 with a brief 0.1-mile path and a maximum width of just 10 yards. This event caused no property damage and no injuries, typical of the weak, short-lived tornadoes that occasionally form in Southern California's coastal environment when atmospheric conditions temporarily favor rotating storms.