Caldwell, ID Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Caldwell, ID had?
Caldwell has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Caldwell?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Caldwell was an EF0 on May 26, 2023.
When is tornado season in Caldwell?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Caldwell, with 6 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 Caldwell
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 Caldwell been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Caldwell from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Caldwell
About Tornadoes in Caldwell
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.
Caldwell, Idaho has experienced 24 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the region's position outside the nation's most tornado-prone areas, though the city is not immune to these severe weather events. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage—the weakest categories, typically producing wind speeds between 65 and 110 mph.
The temporal distribution shows notable variation across decades. Activity was sparse from the 1950s through the 1980s, with only eight tornadoes total during those four decades. The pace increased substantially beginning in the 1990s, when five tornadoes occurred, followed by nine in the 2000s—the most active decade on record for the area. Two tornadoes have been documented in the 2020s thus far. Of the 24 total events, 17 were rated EF0 and seven were rated EF1, with none on record producing fatalities.
August stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Caldwell, accounting for six events. This late-summer maximum differs from the traditional spring peak observed across much of the central United States, where tornado season typically crests in April and May as warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with cooler systems. The most recent tornado occurred on May 27, 2023, an EF0 event with a 0.9-mile path and maximum width of just three yards that caused no damage or injuries.
The longest-tracked tornado on record traveled 19.1 miles on August 26, 1966, rated F1 with a maximum width of 100 yards and causing $27,500 in property damage. The widest tornado, reaching 300 yards across, occurred on April 23, 1974, cutting a one-mile path as an F1 event. The costliest tornado—an F0 on April 24, 1991—also caused $27,500 in damage despite its brief 0.2-mile path and narrow 50-yard width. These damage figures reflect historical dollars and have not been adjusted for inflation.