Lynwood, CA Tornado History — 53 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lynwood, CA had?
Lynwood has had 53 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Lynwood?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lynwood was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Lynwood?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lynwood, with 11 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 Lynwood
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 total, averaging 0.3 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 Lynwood been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lynwood from any of the 53 tornadoes since 1950, though 50 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lynwood
About Tornadoes in Lynwood
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.
Lynwood, California, located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, has experienced 53 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively high count for a California city reflects the region's susceptibility to weak tornadoes, particularly during the winter months when atmospheric conditions occasionally favor their development. Unlike the spring-dominated tornado seasons common in the central United States, the peak month for tornadoes near Lynwood is January, which has recorded 11 events.
The majority of tornadoes in the area have been weak, with 29 rated EF0 and 19 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies 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, also rated F2, touched down on November 9, 1982, reaching a maximum width of 1,300 yards over a 10-mile path and causing $2.75 million in damage.
Tornado activity near Lynwood peaked during the 1980s and 1990s, with 12 and 15 events respectively. The 1970s and 1980s also saw some of the most significant events, including the longest-tracked tornado on record—an F1 that traveled 10.9 miles on March 17, 1977. Activity declined in the 2000s and 2010s, with seven and two tornadoes respectively, before a slight uptick in the 2020s with five events through early 2025. The most recent tornado, an EF0, occurred on March 13, 2025, traveling one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and causing no reported damage or injuries.
While tornadoes in Southern California are less frequent and generally weaker than those in other parts of the country, the historical record demonstrates that they remain a periodic weather hazard in the Lynwood area, particularly during the cooler months when Pacific storm systems can produce the necessary atmospheric instability.