Clifton, CO Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Clifton, CO had?
Clifton has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Clifton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Clifton was an EF1 on July 9, 2015.
When is tornado season in Clifton?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Clifton, with 2 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 Clifton
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Clifton been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Clifton from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Clifton
About Tornadoes in Clifton
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.
Clifton, Colorado has experienced seven tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since modern record-keeping began in 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. The majority of this activity occurred during the 2000s, when five tornadoes were documented, while the 1990s and 2010s each saw one event. All recorded tornadoes have been relatively weak, with five rated EF0 and two rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
May has been the most active month for tornadoes near Clifton, accounting for two events, though tornadoes have occurred in other months as well. The most recent tornado touched down on July 9, 2015, an EF1 event with a maximum width of 50 yards and a brief path length of just 0.1 miles. This same tornado also holds the distinction of being the widest on record for the area. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on October 17, 2004, when an F0 tornado traveled 7.5 miles with a maximum width of only 15 yards.
Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded near Clifton have resulted in fatalities, and none have official property damage estimates in the historical record. This pattern reflects both the relatively weak intensity of the storms and potentially their occurrence in sparsely populated areas. The EF0 rating indicates estimated wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph, while EF1 tornadoes feature winds of 86 to 110 mph—strong enough to cause damage to roofs, windows, and trees, but typically not severe to well-built structures.
While tornado activity near Clifton has been infrequent compared to more tornado-prone regions of the United States, the historical record demonstrates that the area is not immune to these weather events. The concentration of activity in the 2000s and the occurrence of tornadoes in both spring and summer months align with broader patterns of severe weather in the western United States, where tornadoes can develop when atmospheric conditions support rotating thunderstorms.