South Pasadena, CA Tornado History — 45 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South Pasadena, CA had?
South Pasadena has had 45 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South Pasadena?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South Pasadena was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in South Pasadena?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South Pasadena, 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 South Pasadena
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 South Pasadena been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South Pasadena from any of the 45 tornadoes since 1950, though 50 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South Pasadena
About Tornadoes in South Pasadena
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.
South Pasadena, California, sits within a 25-mile radius that has recorded 45 tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are often associated with the Great Plains, the greater Los Angeles area experiences occasional tornado touchdowns, typically weak and short-lived events associated with winter and spring storm systems moving in from the Pacific Ocean.
The majority of tornadoes near South Pasadena have been relatively minor, with 25 rated EF0 and 15 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Five tornadoes reached EF2 strength. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on March 1, 1983, when an F2 tornado caused $27.5 million in property damage along a 3.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado touched down on November 9, 1982, reaching 1,300 yards across and traveling 10 miles, while the longest-track tornado occurred on March 17, 1977, covering 10.9 miles.
Tornado activity in the region peaked during the 1980s with 11 recorded events, followed by 10 in the 1990s. Activity declined notably in the 2010s, with only one tornado recorded that decade, though five have occurred in the 2020s through early 2025. March is the most active month, accounting for nine tornadoes, which aligns with the typical pattern of spring storm systems bringing atmospheric instability to Southern California. The most recent tornado was an EF0 that touched down on March 13, 2025, traveling one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and causing no damage or injuries.
While tornado frequency in this region is modest compared to areas that experience severe convective storms more regularly, the historical record demonstrates that residents should remain aware of tornado potential, particularly during the late winter and spring months when Pacific storm systems are most active.