Durango, CO Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Durango, CO had?
Durango has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Durango?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Durango was a F1 on October 5, 2004.
When is tornado season in Durango?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Durango, 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
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 Durango been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Durango from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Durango
About Tornadoes in Durango
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.
Durango, Colorado has experienced relatively modest tornado activity since modern record-keeping began in 1950, with five tornadoes documented within 25 miles of the city according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All recorded events have been rated EF1 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. The EF scale ranges from EF0 (winds 65–85 mph) to EF5 (winds over 200 mph), with Durango's tornadoes falling exclusively in the two weakest categories: two EF0 events and three EF1 events.
Tornado activity near Durango has been concentrated in recent decades, with three tornadoes occurring during the 1990s and two during the 2000s. None have been recorded in other decades since 1950. August has been the most active month historically, accounting for two of the five total events, though tornadoes have also occurred in October. This seasonal pattern differs somewhat from the traditional spring peak seen in the central United States, reflecting the unique meteorological conditions of Colorado's high-elevation southwestern region.
The most recent tornado on record touched down on October 5, 2004, and was also the longest-tracked event in the area's history. This EF1 tornado traveled 2.5 miles with a maximum width of 25 yards, causing no reported property damage and no injuries. The widest tornado recorded near Durango occurred on August 5, 1999, reaching a maximum width of 50 yards during its 0.3-mile path, though it too caused no damage or casualties.
Notably, none of the five tornadoes on record near Durango have resulted in fatalities, and none have official damage cost estimates in the historical database. This reflects both the relatively weak intensity of these events and their occurrence in areas where they did not impact significant structures or population centers. While tornadoes remain possible in the Durango area, the historical record suggests they occur infrequently and have been less destructive than those documented in many other parts of the country.