Long Beach, CA Tornado History — 56 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Long Beach, CA had?
Long Beach has had 56 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Long Beach?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Long Beach was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Long Beach?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Long Beach, with 10 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 Long Beach
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 Long Beach been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Long Beach from any of the 56 tornadoes since 1950, though 52 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Long Beach
About Tornadoes in Long 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.
Long Beach, California has experienced 56 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the traditional spring tornado season seen across much of the United States, the peak month for tornado activity in this coastal region is January, which has recorded 10 events. This pattern reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems and winter weather dynamics that differ markedly from the continental patterns that drive severe weather in the Great Plains and Southeast.
The majority of tornadoes in the Long Beach area have been relatively weak, with 30 rated EF0 and 21 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only five tornadoes have reached EF2 strength. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on March 1, 1983, when an F2 tornado caused $27.5 million in property damage along a 3.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado on record struck on November 9, 1982, reaching 1,300 yards across and traveling 10 miles, while the longest-track tornado moved 10.9 miles on March 17, 1977.
Tornado activity in the region has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest frequency with 18 recorded events, while the 1950s and 2010s each recorded only two tornadoes. The 1980s produced 10 tornadoes, including both the costliest and widest events on record. The most recent tornado occurred on March 13, 2025, an EF0 event that traveled one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and caused no reported damage or injuries.
While tornadoes are far less common along the California coast than in many other parts of the country, the Long Beach area's history demonstrates that these events do occur and can occasionally produce significant damage. The concentration of activity in winter months and the predominance of weaker tornadoes reflect the distinct meteorological environment of Southern California's coastal zone.