South Whittier, CA Tornado History — 62 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South Whittier, CA had?
South Whittier has had 62 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South Whittier?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South Whittier was an EF0 on March 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in South Whittier?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South Whittier, with 12 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 Whittier
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 Whittier been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South Whittier from any of the 62 tornadoes since 1950, though 52 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South Whittier
About Tornadoes in South Whittier
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 Whittier, California has experienced 62 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, this region sees its highest tornado activity in January, with 12 events recorded during that month. This winter peak reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can generate brief, relatively weak tornadoes when atmospheric conditions align.
The vast majority of tornadoes near South Whittier have been weak, with 34 rated EF0 and 23 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. Only five tornadoes have reached EF2 strength. Remarkably, there are no fatalities on record from any tornado in the area. 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 on record struck on November 9, 1982, reaching 1,300 yards across and traveling 10 miles while causing $2.75 million in damage.
Tornado frequency in the region has varied considerably by decade. Activity increased from just two tornadoes in the 1950s to a peak of 18 in the 1990s, then declined sharply to only two events during the 2010s. The 2020s have seen five tornadoes thus far, including the most recent EF0 on March 13, 2025, which traveled one mile with a maximum width of 80 yards and caused no reported damage or injuries.
The longest-tracked tornado near South Whittier occurred on March 17, 1977, when an F1 tornado traveled 10.9 miles along a narrow 10-yard-wide path, causing $2.75 million in damage. While tornadoes in Southern California remain relatively uncommon compared to other parts of the country, the historical record demonstrates that the region experiences these events with enough regularity to warrant awareness and preparedness.