Rialto, CA Tornado History — 14 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rialto, CA had?
Rialto has had 14 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rialto?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rialto was an EF0 on September 9, 2012.
When is tornado season in Rialto?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rialto, 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 Rialto
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 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 Rialto been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rialto from any of the 14 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rialto
About Tornadoes in Rialto
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.
Rialto, California, located in San Bernardino County, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than cities in the central and southeastern United States, but the region is not immune to these weather events. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 14 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of Rialto since 1950, with the majority occurring in recent decades. Six tornadoes touched down in the 2000s alone, representing the most active decade on record for the area, while the 1950s through 1980s each saw only a single event.
The overwhelming majority of tornadoes near Rialto have been weak, with 12 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph and typically minor damage. Only two tornadoes have exceeded this threshold: one EF1 and one EF2. The EF2 tornado, which occurred on May 22, 2008, stands as both the costliest and longest-tracked tornado on record for the area, causing $350,000 in property damage along a 2.8-mile path with a maximum width of 75 yards. Despite its relative strength, this event resulted in no fatalities.
May has been the most active month for tornado activity near Rialto, with four documented events, though tornadoes have occurred in other months as well, including a notable August 14, 2004 tornado that achieved the widest path on record at 800 yards despite being rated only F0 and causing no property damage. The most recent tornado in the area touched down on September 9, 2012, an EF0 event with a maximum width of just 10 yards that caused no damage or injuries.
Remarkably, none of the 14 tornadoes recorded near Rialto since 1950 have resulted in fatalities, reflecting both the generally weak nature of these events and the relatively low population density of the areas they have traversed. While tornadoes in Southern California remain rare compared to the nation's more active regions, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions occasionally support tornadic development.