San Juan Capistrano, CA Tornado History — 27 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Juan Capistrano, CA had?
San Juan Capistrano has had 27 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Juan Capistrano?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Juan Capistrano was an EF0 on September 22, 2007.
When is tornado season in San Juan Capistrano?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Juan Capistrano, with 9 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 Juan Capistrano
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 Juan Capistrano been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Juan Capistrano from any of the 27 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Juan Capistrano
About Tornadoes in San Juan Capistrano
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 Juan Capistrano, California, has experienced 27 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the tornado-prone regions of the central and southeastern United States, Southern California sees tornadoes infrequently, and when they do occur, they tend to be weak and short-lived. The majority of recorded events in this area have been rated EF0, with 18 tornadoes at that intensity, 8 rated EF1, and only 1 reaching EF2 strength. No tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in the area during this period.
Tornado activity near San Juan Capistrano peaked during the 1990s, when 11 tornadoes were documented within the search radius. The 1980s saw 5 events, while the 2000s also recorded 5 tornadoes through the end of that decade. Earlier decades showed lower activity, with 4 tornadoes in the 1960s and single events in both the 1950s and 1970s. This pattern reflects the episodic nature of tornado development in coastal California, where atmospheric conditions favorable for tornadogenesis occur less frequently than in other parts of the country.
February stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the region, accounting for 9 of the 27 recorded events. This winter concentration aligns with the passage of strong Pacific storm systems that occasionally produce the wind shear and instability necessary for tornado formation. The costliest tornado on record occurred on January 18, 1993, when an F0-rated tornado caused $2,750,000 in property damage despite traveling only 0.1 miles with a maximum width of 10 yards. The longest-tracked tornado touched down on February 8, 1994, covering 9.0 miles with a path width of 73 yards and causing $275,000 in damage.
The most recent tornado in the area was an EF0 that occurred on September 22, 2007, with a path length of 0.1 miles and maximum width of 15 yards, causing no damage or injuries. The widest tornado on record was an F1 event on November 11, 1997, which reached 200 yards in width along a 0.2-mile path, though it produced no reported property damage. These characteristics—brief duration, narrow paths, and minimal damage—typify the tornadoes that occasionally affect the San Juan Capistrano area.