San Clemente, CA Tornado History — 21 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Clemente, CA had?
San Clemente has had 21 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Clemente?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Clemente was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in San Clemente?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Clemente, 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 San Clemente
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 San Clemente been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Clemente from any of the 21 tornadoes since 1950, though 6 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Clemente
About Tornadoes in San Clemente
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 Clemente, California and its surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced 21 documented tornadoes since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, this coastal Southern California area sees its highest tornado activity in February, with 5 events recorded during that month. No tornadoes in this area have resulted in fatalities on record.
The intensity distribution reflects the generally weaker nature of California tornadoes compared to those in other regions. Of the 21 recorded events, 13 were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, meaning estimated wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph. Seven tornadoes reached EF1 intensity (86 to 110 mph winds), and only one achieved EF2 status (111 to 135 mph winds). These lower-intensity tornadoes typically cause damage to roofs, windows, and trees rather than complete structural destruction.
Tornado activity in the area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the most events with 8 tornadoes, while the 1950s and 1970s each recorded only a single tornado. The 1960s had 5 events, the 1980s had 3, and the 2000s recorded 3 tornadoes through the end of the decade. The most recent tornado occurred on September 22, 2007, an EF0 event with a 0.1-mile path length and maximum width of 15 yards that caused no damage or injuries.
The costliest tornado on record struck on January 18, 1993, causing $2.75 million in property damage despite being rated only F0. This event had a brief 0.1-mile path and a maximum width of just 10 yards. The longest-tracked tornado traveled 9.0 miles on February 8, 1994, rated F0 with a maximum width of 73 yards and $275,000 in damage. The widest tornado, spanning 200 yards at its peak, occurred on November 11, 1997 as an F1 event with a 0.2-mile path but no reported property damage.