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Littleton, CO Tornado History — 170 Tornadoes Since 1950

Colorado · 25-mile radius · NOAA Storm Prediction Center

How many tornadoes has Littleton, CO had?

Littleton has had 170 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 2 violent (EF3+) tornadoes.

When was the most recent tornado near Littleton?

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

When is tornado season in Littleton?

June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Littleton, 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
170
Within search radius
Violent (EF3+)
2
1.2% of total
Peak Month
June
71 on record
Per Year Avg
2.2
Across 76 years

Recent Tornado Activity Near Littleton

The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 32 total, averaging 1.6 per year over this window.

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

Tornadoes by Decade

1950s 2
1960s 22
1970s 22
1980s 57
1990s 29
2000s 15
2010s 16
2020s 7

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 85
EF1 67
EF2 12
EF3 2
Unrated 4

Tornadoes by Month

Jan 0
Feb 0
Mar 1
Apr 5
May 29
Jun 71
Jul 40
Aug 15
Sep 8
Oct 1
Nov 0
Dec 0

Have any tornadoes near Littleton been fatal?

No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Littleton from any of the 170 tornadoes since 1950, though 65 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.

Notable Tornadoes Near Littleton

Costliest Tornado
F3 on June 15, 1988 — est. ~$27.5M (NOAA damage class, pre-1996 estimate).
Widest Tornado
F3 on May 18, 1975 — 440 yards wide.
Longest Path
EF1 on June 22, 2023 — 6.3 mile track.
Most Recent
EF1 on July 14, 2025.

About Tornadoes in Littleton

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 area within 25 miles of Littleton, Colorado has experienced 170 documented tornadoes, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This activity reflects the city's location along Colorado's Front Range, where upslope flow and colliding air masses during spring and summer can trigger severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes. Remarkably, despite this substantial tornado count, no fatalities have been recorded in any of these events.

Tornado frequency in the Littleton area has varied considerably by decade. The 1980s saw the highest activity with 57 tornadoes, while the earliest decade on record—the 1950s—logged only 2 events. The 1960s and 1970s each recorded 22 tornadoes, followed by 29 in the 1990s. More recent decades show somewhat lower counts: 15 tornadoes in the 2000s, 16 in the 2010s, and 7 thus far in the 2020s. June stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 71 of the total events.

The vast majority of tornadoes near Littleton have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Of the 170 recorded events, 85 were rated EF0 and 67 were rated EF1, meaning most produced wind speeds below 110 mph. Only 12 tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, and just 2 achieved EF3 strength. Four tornadoes remain unrated in the historical record.

The costliest tornado on record struck on June 15, 1988, an F3-rated event that caused $27.5 million in property damage while traveling a 2.5-mile path with a maximum width of 200 yards. The widest tornado occurred on May 18, 1975—another F3 that reached 440 yards across during its 4.1-mile track, though it caused no recorded property damage. The longest-tracked tornado was an EF1 on June 22, 2023, which traveled 6.3 miles with a narrow 25-yard width. Most recently, an EF1 tornado touched down on July 14, 2025, traveling just 0.3 miles with a 50-yard width and causing no damage or injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many tornadoes has Littleton, CO had?
Since 1950, 170 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of Littleton. Data source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
When is tornado season in Littleton?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Littleton, 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 Littleton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Littleton was an EF1 on July 14, 2025.
How do I get tornado warnings for Littleton?
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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