Grand Junction, CO Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Grand Junction, CO had?
Grand Junction has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Grand Junction?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Grand Junction was an EF1 on July 9, 2015.
When is tornado season in Grand Junction?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Grand Junction been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Grand Junction from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Grand Junction
About Tornadoes in Grand Junction
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.
Grand Junction, Colorado has experienced relatively infrequent tornado activity since modern record-keeping began in 1950. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, only eight tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city over this 70-plus-year period. The majority of this activity occurred during the 2000s, when six tornadoes were recorded, while the 1990s and 2010s each saw just one event. Notably, no tornadoes were documented in the area during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s.
All eight tornadoes on record have been weak in intensity, with six rated EF0 and two rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes based on estimated wind speeds and resulting damage. The EF0 rating indicates winds of 65 to 85 mph, while EF1 tornadoes produce winds of 86 to 110 mph. Remarkably, none of these events resulted in any recorded fatalities, and no damage cost data has been documented for any of the tornadoes in the area.
The most recent tornado near Grand Junction occurred on July 9, 2015, an EF1-rated event with a maximum width of 50 yards and a path length of just 0.1 miles. This tornado also holds the distinction of being the widest on record for the area. The longest-tracked tornado was an F0 that traveled 7.5 miles on October 17, 2004, though its maximum width was only 15 yards. April has been the most active month for tornadoes near Grand Junction, with two events recorded during that month, though tornadoes have occurred in the area during other times of the year as well, including summer and fall months.
The sparse tornado record for Grand Junction reflects the city's location in western Colorado, where the terrain and typical atmospheric conditions are less conducive to tornado formation than in the Great Plains to the east. While tornadoes can occur anywhere given the right meteorological conditions, the combination of elevation, topography, and prevailing weather patterns in this region generally results in lower tornado frequency compared to areas farther east.