La Mesa, CA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has La Mesa, CA had?
La Mesa has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near La Mesa?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of La Mesa was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in La Mesa?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near La Mesa, with 5 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 La Mesa
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 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 La Mesa been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of La Mesa from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near La Mesa
About Tornadoes in La Mesa
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.
La Mesa, California, located in San Diego County, has experienced 13 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the more tornado-prone regions of the central United States, Southern California sees relatively infrequent tornado activity, and when tornadoes do occur, they tend to be weak and short-lived. All 13 recorded events in the La Mesa area have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Nine tornadoes were classified as EF0, the weakest category with winds of 65–85 mph, while four reached EF1 intensity with winds of 86–110 mph.
Tornado activity in the La Mesa area has been most frequent during the winter and early spring months, with February accounting for five of the 13 recorded events. This seasonal pattern differs from the classic springtime tornado season seen in the Great Plains, where warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cooler air masses. In coastal California, tornadoes more commonly develop in association with winter storm systems moving in from the Pacific Ocean or occasionally from remnants of tropical systems. The frequency of tornadoes near La Mesa has gradually increased over the decades, with one event in the 1950s, two in the 1970s, three each in the 1980s and 1990s, and four in the 2000s.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on March 19, 1991, when an F1 tornado carved a one-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards, causing $275,000 in property damage. This event stands as both the costliest and widest tornado documented in the area. The longest-track tornado was an F0 that traveled three miles on February 8, 1998, though it caused no reported damage despite its 30-yard width. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on September 22, 2007, traveling just one-tenth of a mile with a width of only 15 yards and causing minimal damage estimated at $100.
Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded within 25 miles of La Mesa since 1950 have resulted in any fatalities. This safety record reflects both the generally weak nature of tornadoes in the region and the relatively brief duration of these events, which often dissipate quickly after formation.