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Laguna Niguel, CA Tornado History — 28 Tornadoes Since 1950

California · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Laguna Niguel, CA had?

Laguna Niguel has had 28 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Laguna Niguel?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Laguna Niguel was an EF1 on January 19, 2010.

When is tornado season in Laguna Niguel?

January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Laguna Niguel, with 7 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 Since 1950
28
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
0
0.0% of total
Peak Month
January
7 on record
Per Year Avg
0.4
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Laguna Niguel

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 total, averaging 0.1 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 0
2011 0
2010 1
2009 0
2008 0
2007 1

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 1
1960s 4
1970s 1
1980s 6
1990s 12
2000s 3
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 15
EF1 12
EF2 1

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 7
Feb 6
Mar 2
Apr 2
May 0
Jun 0
Jul 0
Aug 0
Sep 1
Oct 0
Nov 6
Dec 4

Have any tornadoes near Laguna Niguel been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Laguna Niguel from any of the 28 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Laguna Niguel

Costliest Tornado
F0 on January 17, 1993 — est. ~$2.8M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F1 on November 11, 1997 — 200 yards wide.
Longest Path
F0 on February 7, 1994 — 9.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on January 19, 2010.

About Tornadoes in Laguna Niguel

This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.

Tornadoes around Laguna Niguel, in the coastal hills of southern Orange County, keep a schedule unlike most American tornado country: they ride in on the Pacific storm systems of the cool season, and the area's documented events cluster from late autumn through winter. On November 7, 1966, an F2 tornado touched down in the area, tracking 0.2 miles along a path roughly 10 yards wide and causing $2,750 in property damage; an F1 was recorded the same day.

Winter dates recur throughout the local history. An F1 struck on January 31, 1979; F0s touched down on January 18, 1988, and again on January 18, 1993; F1 tornadoes were confirmed on December 7, 1992; and an F0 moved through on February 8, 1994. Late 1997 brought further F1 touchdowns, on November 11 and December 21 of that year.

The pattern has carried into the EF-scale era. An EF0 touched down on September 22, 2007, outside the usual winter window, and an EF1 followed on January 19, 2010, squarely within the season when dynamic Pacific storms reach the Southern California coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Laguna Niguel, CA had?
Since 1950, 28 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Laguna Niguel. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Laguna Niguel?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Laguna Niguel, with 7 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 Laguna Niguel?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Laguna Niguel was an EF1 on January 19, 2010.
How do I get tornado warnings for Laguna Niguel?
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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