Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Tornado History — 36 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rancho Palos Verdes, CA had?
Rancho Palos Verdes has had 36 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rancho Palos Verdes?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rancho Palos Verdes was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Rancho Palos Verdes?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rancho Palos Verdes, with 8 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 Rancho Palos Verdes
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 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 Rancho Palos Verdes been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rancho Palos Verdes from any of the 36 tornadoes since 1950, though 49 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rancho Palos Verdes
About Tornadoes in Rancho Palos Verdes
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.
Rancho Palos Verdes, California, and its surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced 36 documented tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This coastal region of Los Angeles County sees tornado activity that differs markedly from patterns in the central United States, with most events occurring during the winter and early spring months when Pacific storm systems bring unstable atmospheric conditions to Southern California.
The majority of tornadoes in this area have been weak, with 20 rated EF0 and 12 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only four tornadoes have reached EF2 strength. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this region have resulted in fatalities. January stands out as the peak month for tornado activity with eight recorded events, reflecting the influence of winter storm systems rather than the spring and early summer peak typical of the Great Plains.
Tornado frequency in the area increased from the 1950s through the 1990s, with the decade from 1990 to 1999 recording the highest count at ten events. Activity declined in subsequent decades, with four tornadoes in the 2000s, two in the 2010s, and four so far in the 2020s. The costliest tornado occurred on March 1, 1983, when an F2-rated storm 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 touched down on November 9, 1982, reaching 1,300 yards across and traveling ten miles while causing $2.75 million in damage.
The longest-tracked tornado occurred on March 17, 1977, when an F1 tornado traveled 10.9 miles with a narrow ten-yard width, also resulting in $2.75 million in damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on March 13, 2025, traveling one mile with an 80-yard maximum width and causing no reported damage or injuries.