Monterey, CA Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Monterey, CA had?
Monterey has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Monterey?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Monterey was an EF0 on December 22, 2012.
When is tornado season in Monterey?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Monterey, with 4 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 Monterey
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 Monterey been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Monterey from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Monterey
About Tornadoes in Monterey
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.
Monterey, California has experienced five tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since comprehensive record-keeping began in 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This remarkably low frequency reflects the region's coastal climate and geographic position, where marine influences typically suppress the atmospheric instability required for tornado development. All recorded events have been relatively weak, with three rated EF0 and two rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest, 65–85 mph winds) to EF5 (strongest, over 200 mph winds).
The temporal distribution of these tornadoes shows scattered activity across recent decades, with three occurring in the 1990s, one in the 1980s, and one in the 2010s. Notably, none of the recorded tornadoes in the Monterey area have resulted in fatalities. The most significant event on record occurred on December 7, 1992, when an F1 tornado carved a 7.0-mile path with a maximum width of 73 yards, causing $275,000 in property damage. This tornado stands as the costliest, widest, and longest-track tornado documented near Monterey.
An unusual pattern emerges in the seasonal timing of these events: four of the five tornadoes occurred in December, making it the clear peak month for tornado activity in the area. This winter concentration contrasts sharply with the spring and early summer peak typical of much of the continental United States, where warm-season severe thunderstorms drive most tornado formation. The most recent tornado touched down on December 22, 2012, as an EF0 event that traveled 1.1 miles with a maximum width of 20 yards and caused $40,000 in property damage.
The rarity and weakness of tornadoes near Monterey underscore the protective influence of the Pacific Ocean and California's coastal topography. While tornadoes can occur in virtually any location given the right atmospheric conditions, the marine layer and stable air masses that characterize the Central California coast create an environment generally inhospitable to the rotating supercell thunderstorms that produce most significant tornadoes elsewhere in the nation.