Poway, CA Tornado History — 18 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Poway, CA had?
Poway has had 18 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Poway?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Poway was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in Poway?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Poway, 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 Poway
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 Poway been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Poway from any of the 18 tornadoes since 1950, though 4 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Poway
About Tornadoes in Poway
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.
Poway, California, located in San Diego County, has experienced 18 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively rare events in Southern California compared to the central United States, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the cooler months when atmospheric conditions can support rotating storms.
The historical record shows a gradual increase in reported events over the decades, with one tornado documented in the 1950s, one in the 1960s, two in the 1970s, three in the 1980s, six in the 1990s, and five in the 2000s. All 18 tornadoes have been rated on the lower end of the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 11 classified as EF0 and seven as EF1. These ratings indicate relatively weak tornadoes with maximum wind speeds below 110 mph, typical of the brief, narrow funnels that occasionally form in California's coastal and inland valleys.
March has been the most active month for tornado occurrence near Poway, accounting for five events in the historical record. The costliest and widest tornado on record touched down on March 19, 1991, rated F1 with a maximum width of 440 yards and a path length of 1.0 mile, causing $275,000 in property damage. The longest-tracked tornado was an F0 event on February 8, 1998, which traveled 3.0 miles with a narrow 30-yard width and caused no property damage. The most recent tornado occurred on September 22, 2007, a brief EF0 event with a path length of just 0.1 mile and minimal damage of $100.
Notably, none of the tornadoes on record within 25 miles of Poway have resulted in fatalities. This safety record reflects both the generally weak nature of California tornadoes and the relatively low population density in areas where these events have occurred. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007, rates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation, replacing the original Fujita scale while maintaining comparable categories.