Lemon Grove, CA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lemon Grove, CA had?
Lemon Grove has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Lemon Grove?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lemon Grove was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in Lemon Grove?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lemon Grove, 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 Lemon Grove
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 Lemon Grove been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lemon Grove from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lemon Grove
About Tornadoes in Lemon Grove
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.
Lemon Grove, California has experienced 12 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are relatively rare events in Southern California compared to the central United States, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the cooler months when atmospheric conditions can support rotating storms.
The recorded tornadoes have all been weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with eight rated EF0 and four rated EF1. No fatalities have been recorded from any of these events. The most significant tornado in terms of property damage occurred on March 19, 1991, when an F1-rated tornado carved a one-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards, causing $275,000 in damage. This same event also holds the record as the widest tornado documented in the area.
Tornado activity near Lemon Grove has been distributed across several decades, with one event in the 1950s, two in the 1970s, and three each in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. February stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for five of the twelve recorded events. This winter peak differs from the spring maximum typical of the Great Plains, reflecting Southern California's distinct weather patterns driven by Pacific storm systems and occasional atmospheric instability during the wet season.
The longest-tracked tornado on record was an F0 that traveled three miles on February 8, 1998, though it caused no property damage despite its 30-yard width. The most recent tornado occurred on September 22, 2007, when a brief EF0 tornado with a path length of just 0.1 miles and a width of 15 yards touched down, causing minimal damage of approximately $100.