San Bernardino, CA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Bernardino, CA had?
San Bernardino has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Bernardino?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Bernardino was an EF0 on September 9, 2012.
When is tornado season in San Bernardino?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino
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 San Bernardino been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Bernardino from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Bernardino
About Tornadoes in San Bernardino
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.
San Bernardino, California has experienced 13 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the generally lower tornado frequency in Southern California compared to the central and southeastern United States, though the region is not immune to these events. None of the tornadoes on record in the San Bernardino area have resulted in fatalities.
The vast majority of tornadoes near San Bernardino have been weak, with 12 of the 13 events rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). The lone exception occurred on May 22, 2008, when an EF2 tornado touched down, carving a 2.8-mile path with a maximum width of 75 yards and causing $350,000 in property damage. This event stands as the costliest, widest, and longest-track tornado in the area's recorded history, though it produced no injuries or deaths.
Tornado activity near San Bernardino has been sporadic across the decades. Only one tornado was recorded in each of the 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s. Activity increased somewhat beginning in the 1990s, with three tornadoes that decade and five in the 2000s. The 2010s saw two events, the most recent being an EF0 tornado on September 9, 2012, which had a maximum width of just 10 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
May has been the most active month for tornadoes in the San Bernardino area, accounting for four of the 13 recorded events. This aligns with broader patterns of springtime tornado activity across much of the United States, when atmospheric conditions—including the collision of warm, moist air with cooler, drier air masses—become more favorable for severe thunderstorm development. While tornadoes remain relatively rare occurrences in this part of California, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the spring months.