Lemoore, CA Tornado History — 18 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lemoore, CA had?
Lemoore has had 18 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Lemoore?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lemoore was an EF0 on May 19, 2019.
When is tornado season in Lemoore?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lemoore, 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Lemoore
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Lemoore been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lemoore from any of the 18 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lemoore
About Tornadoes in Lemoore
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.
Lemoore, California has experienced 18 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in California's Central Valley compared to the Great Plains, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions can support rotating thunderstorms.
The majority of tornadoes near Lemoore have been weak, with 12 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Five tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one achieved EF2 status. That EF2 tornado occurred on April 5, 1980, and carved the longest path on record for the area at 15.0 miles, though it maintained a relatively narrow width of just 10 yards and caused $275,000 in property damage. Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded near Lemoore have resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity in the area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 8 tornadoes, while the 2010s recorded only 1 event. The 1980s and 1970s each saw 3 and 2 tornadoes respectively, and the 2000s documented 4 occurrences. March stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 8 of the 18 total events, reflecting the typical spring severe weather season when cold fronts moving through California can interact with warmer air masses.
The costliest tornado on record struck on January 27, 2008, causing $750,000 in property damage despite being rated only EF0. This tornado traveled 2.0 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards. The most recent tornado occurred on May 19, 2019, rated EF0 with a path length of 0.3 miles and a maximum width of 100 yards—the widest recorded in the area—though it caused no property damage or injuries.