Victorville, CA Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Victorville, CA had?
Victorville has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Victorville?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Victorville was an EF0 on May 7, 2017.
When is tornado season in Victorville?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Victorville, with 6 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 Victorville
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Victorville been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Victorville from any of the 16 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Victorville
About Tornadoes in Victorville
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.
Victorville, California, situated in the high desert of San Bernardino County, has experienced 16 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's arid climate and distance from the moisture-rich conditions that typically fuel severe thunderstorm development in other parts of the country. Despite California's reputation for earthquakes rather than tornadoes, the state does see occasional tornado activity, particularly when unusual weather patterns bring sufficient instability and wind shear to the region.
The majority of tornadoes near Victorville have been weak, with 11 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Four tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one attained EF2 strength. Notably, none of the recorded tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event on record was an F1 tornado on September 5, 1976, which caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on May 18, 1997, traveling 9.0 miles as an F1, while the widest reached 800 yards on August 14, 2004, despite being rated only F0.
Tornado activity in the Victorville area has varied considerably by decade, with the 1970s seeing the highest concentration at six events. The 1990s recorded four tornadoes, while the 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, and 2000s each saw only one event. The 2010s brought two tornadoes, including the most recent on May 7, 2017, an EF0 with a 50-yard maximum width. September stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for six of the 16 total events, likely reflecting late-summer monsoonal moisture patterns that occasionally interact with mid-latitude weather systems over the desert Southwest.