Centennial, CO Tornado History — 227 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Centennial, CO had?
Centennial has had 227 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 3 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.
When was the most recent tornado near Centennial?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Centennial was an EF1 on July 14, 2025.
When is tornado season in Centennial?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Centennial, with 95 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 Centennial
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 46 total, averaging 2.3 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 Centennial been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Centennial from any of the 227 tornadoes since 1950, though 65 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Centennial
About Tornadoes in Centennial
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.
Since 1950, the National Weather Service has documented 227 tornadoes within 25 miles of Centennial, Colorado, according to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This activity reflects the region's position along the Front Range, where collisions between dry air from the High Plains and moist upslope flow can trigger severe thunderstorms during the warm season. The majority of these tornadoes have been relatively weak, with 113 rated EF0 and 90 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage indicators.
Tornado frequency in the area has varied considerably by decade. The 1980s saw the highest concentration with 75 recorded events, while the 1950s recorded only 4. More recent decades have shown moderate activity, with 22 tornadoes in the 2010s and 12 thus far in the 2020s. June stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 95 of the 227 total events. This seasonal pattern aligns with typical severe weather climatology across the central United States, when atmospheric instability and wind shear are most favorable for tornadic development.
While the area has experienced a substantial number of tornadoes, none on record have resulted in fatalities. The costliest tornado occurred on June 15, 1988, when an F3-rated storm carved a 2.5-mile path with a maximum width of 200 yards, causing $27.5 million in property damage. The widest tornado on record was an F3 that touched down on May 18, 1975, reaching 440 yards across during its 4.1-mile track, though it caused no reported property damage. The longest-tracked tornado was an F2 that traveled 8.0 miles on June 4, 1983, causing $275,000 in damage.
Among stronger tornadoes, only three have reached EF3 intensity since records began, while 14 have been rated EF2. The most recent tornado in the area was an EF1 that touched down on July 14, 2025, traveling 0.3 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards and causing no reported damage or injuries.