Twentynine Palms, CA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Twentynine Palms, CA had?
Twentynine Palms has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Twentynine Palms?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Twentynine Palms was an EF0 on July 19, 2015.
When is tornado season in Twentynine Palms?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Twentynine Palms, with 3 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 Twentynine Palms
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 Twentynine Palms been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Twentynine Palms from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Twentynine Palms
About Tornadoes in Twentynine Palms
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.
Twentynine Palms, California, has experienced six documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest tornado activity reflects the region's desert climate and location outside the nation's primary tornado corridors. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF2 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
The distribution of these events shows clustering in certain decades, with three tornadoes occurring during the 1980s and single events recorded in the 1970s, 2000s, and 2010s. July has been the most active month, accounting for three of the six tornadoes on record. This summer peak differs from the typical spring maximum seen in many other parts of the United States, where the collision of warm, moist air with cooler systems creates more frequent severe weather.
By intensity, four tornadoes have been rated EF0, representing the weakest category with winds of 65 to 85 miles per hour. One tornado reached EF1 strength, and one attained EF2 intensity. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on July 28, 1987, traveling 1.5 miles as an F0 event with a maximum width of 50 yards. The widest tornado on record touched down on July 20, 2015, reaching 50 yards across during its 0.2-mile path.
The costliest tornado in the area's history struck on August 1, 1983, causing $275,000 in property damage despite being rated only F0. This event had a path length of 0.3 miles and a maximum width of 30 yards. Notably, none of the six tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. The most recent tornado occurred on July 20, 2015, an EF0 event that caused no damage or injuries during its brief 0.2-mile track.