Murrieta, CA Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Murrieta, CA had?
Murrieta has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Murrieta?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Murrieta was an EF0 on October 8, 2022.
When is tornado season in Murrieta?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Murrieta, 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 Murrieta
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 Murrieta been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Murrieta from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Murrieta
About Tornadoes in Murrieta
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.
Murrieta, California, located in southwestern Riverside County, has experienced 20 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in Southern California compared to the central United States, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the cooler months when atmospheric conditions align favorably for rotating storms.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Murrieta have been weak, with 17 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Two tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one has been rated EF2. Notably, no tornadoes on record in the area have resulted in fatalities. The temporal distribution shows a marked increase during the 2000s, when 11 tornadoes occurred, compared to just one each in the 1970s and 1980s, three in the 1990s, three in the 2010s, and one in the 2020s.
February stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Murrieta, with five events recorded during that month. This winter peak differs from the traditional spring maximum seen in much of the country and reflects Southern California's unique weather patterns, where the most unstable atmospheric conditions often occur during the wet season from late fall through early spring.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on May 22, 2008, when an EF2 tornado carved a 2.8-mile path with a maximum width of 75 yards, causing $350,000 in property damage but no injuries or fatalities. This event represents the costliest, widest, and longest-track tornado in the area's recorded history. The most recent tornado touched down on October 8, 2022, as an EF0 with a 1.6-mile path and 50-yard width, causing no damage or casualties.