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Castle Rock, CO Tornado History — 158 Tornadoes Since 1950

Colorado · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Castle Rock, CO had?

Castle Rock has had 158 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.

When was the most recent tornado near Castle Rock?

The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Castle Rock was an EF1 on July 14, 2025.

When is tornado season in Castle Rock?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Castle Rock, with 71 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

Tornadoes Since 1950
158
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
0
0.0% of total
Peak Month
June
71 on record
Per Year Avg
2.1
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Castle Rock

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 40 total, averaging 2.0 per year over this window.

2026 0
2025 2
2024 0
2023 3
2022 0
2021 0
2020 0
2019 2
2018 1
2017 0
2016 0
2015 4
2014 5
2013 0
2012 6
2011 1
2010 0
2009 7
2008 7
2007 2

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 5
1960s 19
1970s 21
1980s 38
1990s 21
2000s 30
2010s 19
2020s 5

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.

EF0 79
EF1 69
EF2 8
Unrated 2

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 3
May 20
Jun 71
Jul 31
Aug 25
Sep 7
Oct 0
Nov 0
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Castle Rock been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Castle Rock from any of the 158 tornadoes since 1950, though 16 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Castle Rock

Costliest Tornado
F2 on June 8, 1986 — est. ~$2.8M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
EF2 on June 15, 2009 — 440 yards wide.
Longest Path
F2 on June 4, 1983 — 8.0 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on July 14, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Castle Rock

This overview was written July 29, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.

Castle Rock sits on the Palmer Divide in Douglas County, the high ground between Denver and Colorado Springs where storms riding off the Front Range meet upslope moisture over open ranchland. Tornadoes here are a warm-season phenomenon, clustering in late spring and summer — June and July especially — when afternoon heating sets off thunderstorms along the Divide.

The town's history includes damaging strikes. On May 20, 1961, an F2 tornado tracked two miles on a path about 67 yards wide, injuring two people and causing $27,500 in property damage. On June 4, 1983, an F2 carved an eight-mile track up to 200 yards across through the area. Another F2 struck on June 8, 1986, injuring six people along a 1.1-mile path and inflicting $2,750,000 in damage.

Stronger tornadoes have continued into the modern era. On June 15, 2009, an EF2 tore a four-mile track with a footprint reaching 440 yards wide, with damage put at $100,000; the same day also produced EF0 touchdowns in the area. On May 18, 2025, an EF2 covered just under a mile of ground — 0.94 miles, roughly 50 yards wide — and an EF1 followed on July 14, 2025, a reminder that even midsummer afternoons on the Divide can still turn severe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Castle Rock, CO had?
Since 1950, 158 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Castle Rock. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Castle Rock?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Castle Rock, with 71 tornadoes on record. Tornadoes can occur any time of year, but spring months (April–June) generally see the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
When was the most recent tornado near Castle Rock?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Castle Rock was an EF1 on July 14, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Castle Rock?
Vortex delivers real-time tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm alerts, and SPC outlook updates for any US location via push notification and phone call. Alerts are sourced directly from the National Weather Service and updated within seconds of issuance.

Official Resources

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