Pocatello, ID Tornado History — 26 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Pocatello, ID had?
Pocatello has had 26 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Pocatello?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Pocatello was an EF0 on May 26, 2019.
When is tornado season in Pocatello?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Pocatello, 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 Pocatello
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 Pocatello been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Pocatello from any of the 26 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Pocatello
About Tornadoes in Pocatello
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.
Pocatello, Idaho has experienced 26 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. The vast majority of these events have been weak, with 19 rated EF0 and only one reaching EF2 intensity. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities, reflecting both the generally weak nature of the storms and the relatively low population density of the region.
Tornado activity in the Pocatello area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 9 recorded events, followed by 8 in the 2000s. Activity declined sharply in the 2010s with only 2 tornadoes documented. The 1950s, 1960s, and 1980s each recorded between 1 and 3 events, while the 1970s saw none on record. August has been the peak month for tornado occurrence with 6 events, an unusual pattern compared to the spring peak common in much of the central United States.
The costliest tornado on record struck on June 11, 1993, rated F1 on the Fujita scale. This storm caused $2,750,000 in property damage while traveling a 10-mile path with a maximum width of 20 yards. The widest and longest tornado occurred on February 14, 2000, also rated F1, which carved a 14-mile path and reached a maximum width of 300 yards, though it caused minimal damage of only $2. The winter timing of this event is noteworthy, as tornadoes are relatively rare during February in most regions.
The most recent tornado touched down on May 26, 2019, rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which replaced the original Fujita scale in 2007. This storm traveled 1.8 miles with a maximum width of 100 yards and caused $1,000 in property damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators and degrees of damage to structures and vegetation, providing a more refined assessment than the original scale.