Las Cruces, NM Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Las Cruces, NM had?
Las Cruces has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Las Cruces?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Las Cruces was an EF0 on May 2, 2007.
When is tornado season in Las Cruces?
July is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Las Cruces, with 3 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 Las Cruces
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 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 Las Cruces been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Las Cruces from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Las Cruces
About Tornadoes in Las Cruces
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.
Las Cruces, New Mexico has experienced relatively infrequent tornado activity compared to many other regions of the United States. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, eight tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since records began in 1950. All of these events have been weak, with six rated EF0 and two rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Notably, none of these tornadoes resulted in any fatalities.
The temporal distribution of tornadoes near Las Cruces shows considerable variation by decade. The 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s each recorded a single tornado, while the 2000s saw a notable uptick with four events. No tornadoes were documented in the 1990s or 2010s within the search radius. Interestingly, September emerges as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, accounting for three of the eight recorded events, which differs from the national pattern where tornadoes are most common during spring months.
The costliest and widest tornado on record occurred on August 1, 1979. This F1 tornado carved a 2.0-mile path with a maximum width of 333 yards and caused $27,500 in property damage, though it resulted in no injuries or deaths. The longest-tracked tornado near Las Cruces was an EF0 event on May 2, 2007, which traveled 8.4 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards but caused no property damage. This May 2007 tornado also stands as the most recent on record for the area.
The relatively low frequency and weak intensity of tornadoes near Las Cruces reflect the city's location in the arid Southwest, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support the development of the strong thunderstorms necessary for tornado formation. While tornadoes remain possible in any season, residents should remain aware of weather conditions, particularly during late summer and early fall when the area has historically seen its greatest tornado activity.