Canon City, CO Tornado History — 18 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Canon City, CO had?
Canon City has had 18 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Canon City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Canon City was an EF0 on June 30, 2023.
When is tornado season in Canon City?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Canon City, 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 Canon City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Canon City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Canon City from any of the 18 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Canon City
About Tornadoes in Canon City
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.
Canon City, Colorado has experienced 18 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. None of these events resulted in fatalities, and the vast majority caused minimal structural damage. The region's tornado activity has been relatively consistent over the decades, with the 1990s recording the highest count at five tornadoes, followed by four in the 1980s and three in the 2010s.
The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies tornado intensity based on damage indicators, ranging from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (most violent). Of the 18 tornadoes recorded near Canon City, 11 were rated EF0, six were rated EF1, and one remains unrated. This distribution reflects the generally weak nature of tornadoes in this area. The costliest tornado on record struck on July 14, 1989, producing $27,500 in property damage despite traveling only 0.3 miles with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest tornado, measuring 100 yards across, occurred on August 15, 1974, while the longest-tracked event covered 7.0 miles on July 1, 1998.
July stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the Canon City area, accounting for six of the 18 recorded events. This seasonal pattern aligns with the broader climatology of the central United States, where summer afternoon heating combined with moisture and atmospheric instability creates favorable conditions for thunderstorm development and occasional tornado formation. The most recent tornado touched down on June 30, 2023, traveling three miles as an EF0 with no reported damage or injuries.
While tornadoes can occur in Colorado's varied terrain, the historical record for Canon City demonstrates that these events have remained relatively infrequent and low-intensity compared to tornado activity in the central Plains states. Residents should still maintain awareness of severe weather potential during the spring and summer months when atmospheric conditions are most conducive to tornadic development.