Farmington, NM Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Farmington, NM had?
Farmington has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Farmington?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Farmington was an EF0 on March 21, 2020.
When is tornado season in Farmington?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Farmington, 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 Farmington
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 Farmington been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Farmington from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Farmington
About Tornadoes in Farmington
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.
Farmington, New Mexico has experienced nine documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the region's position in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support the intense supercell thunderstorms that produce tornadoes in more humid climates.
The majority of these tornadoes have been weak, with seven rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. One tornado reached EF1 intensity, and one reached EF2. The strongest event on record occurred on May 11, 1957, when an F2 tornado caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards. Despite being the costliest tornado in the area's history, this event resulted in no fatalities. In fact, none of the nine tornadoes recorded near Farmington have caused any deaths.
Tornado activity near Farmington has been sporadic across the decades. The 1950s and 1960s each saw one tornado, followed by a three-decade gap with no recorded events in the 1970s or 1980s. Activity resumed in the 1990s with two tornadoes, and the 2000s and 2010s each recorded two additional events. The most recent tornado touched down on March 21, 2020, an EF0 that traveled 0.5 miles with a maximum width of 40 yards and caused no damage or injuries. This event also holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area's history.
May has been the most active month for tornadoes near Farmington, with two events recorded during that month. This aligns with the general pattern across much of the United States, where late spring sees peak tornado activity as warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico clashes with cooler air masses. The widest tornado on record was an F1 that occurred on August 5, 1999, reaching a maximum width of 50 yards along a 0.3-mile path.