Rowland Heights, CA Tornado History — 58 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rowland Heights, CA had?
Rowland Heights has had 58 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rowland Heights?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rowland Heights was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Rowland Heights?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rowland Heights, with 12 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 Rowland Heights
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 Rowland Heights been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rowland Heights from any of the 58 tornadoes since 1950, though 20 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rowland Heights
About Tornadoes in Rowland Heights
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.
Rowland Heights, California, situated in the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles, experiences tornadoes far more frequently than many residents might expect. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 57 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since 1950, with the majority rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale. While California is not typically associated with tornado activity in the public imagination, the state does see occasional touchdowns, particularly during the cooler months when atmospheric conditions align favorably for rotating storms.
The temporal distribution of tornadoes near Rowland Heights reveals notable patterns. Activity peaked during the 1990s with 19 recorded events, followed by 10 in the 1980s and 8 in the 2000s. More recent decades have seen fewer tornadoes, with just 2 in the 2010s and 5 so far in the 2020s. Remarkably, January stands out as the most active month with 12 events on record, reflecting the influence of winter storm systems moving through Southern California. The most recent tornado occurred on March 13, 2025, an EF0 event with an 80-yard maximum width that traveled one mile and caused no damage or injuries.
Despite the relatively high frequency of tornadoes in the area, none on record have resulted in fatalities. The vast majority have been weak, with 34 rated EF0 and 20 rated EF1, though three EF2 tornadoes have occurred. The widest tornado on record was an F2 on November 9, 1982, which carved a 10-mile path with a maximum width of 1,300 yards and caused $2.75 million in property damage. The longest track belonged to an F1 tornado on March 17, 1977, which traveled 10.9 miles. The costliest event was an F0 tornado on January 18, 1993, also responsible for $2.75 million in damage despite its relatively brief 0.1-mile path and narrow 10-yard width.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation. An EF0 tornado produces wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph, while EF1 tornadoes range from 86 to 110 mph, and EF2 tornadoes from 111 to 135 mph. The concentration of weaker tornadoes in the Rowland Heights area reflects typical patterns for California, where atmospheric conditions rarely support the development of violent tornadoes common in the central United States.