South El Monte, CA Tornado History — 50 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South El Monte, CA had?
South El Monte has had 50 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South El Monte?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South El Monte was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in South El Monte?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South El Monte, with 10 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 South El Monte
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 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 South El Monte been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South El Monte from any of the 50 tornadoes since 1950, though 50 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South El Monte
About Tornadoes in South El Monte
This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
South El Monte lies in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles County, and its tornado history follows Southern California's wet-season rhythm: activity near the city has clustered between late fall and early spring, when Pacific storm systems supply the wind shear and instability that can briefly spin up rotating storms.
A destructive stretch came in the early 1980s. On November 9, 1982, F2 tornadoes moved through the area, one tracking about 10 miles with a width reaching 1,300 yards and causing $2,750,000 in property damage. A few months later, on March 1, 1983, an F2 carved a 3.5-mile path up to 100 yards wide, injuring 30 people and causing $27,500,000 in damage. Decades earlier, on November 7, 1966, an F2 followed a 10.3-mile path through the region and injured 10 people.
Cool-season touchdowns have continued into the modern era. An EF1 struck on January 19, 2010, and an EF0 followed on December 12, 2014. Early 2023 brought a burst of activity, including an EF0 on February 23, an EF1 on March 22, and EF0 touchdowns on May 4. An EF0 on March 13, 2025 fit the same familiar pattern, arriving with the tail end of the winter storm season.