Maricopa County, Arizona tornadoes

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75confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: November 18, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Maricopa County

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The record

At a glance

Total751950 to 2025
Per year1.0average since 1950
Peak monthJuly12 of 75
StrongestF3Aug 4, 1957
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries58whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Maricopa County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

120 Jan: 5Feb: 8Mar: 4Apr: 1May: 6Jun: 5Jul: 12Aug: 12Sep: 12Oct: 4Nov: 5Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July is the peak month, with 12 of 75 tornadoes.

By time of day

110 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 2: 26 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 212 PM: 1: 6: 73 PM: 7: 8: 106 PM: 11: 6: 79 PM: 4: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

70 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 2: 3: 01960: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 3: 21970: 2: 4: 7: 0: 1: 0: 3: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 2: 1: 2: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 7: 3: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 1: 72020: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 319501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
41
EF1
25
EF2
6
EF3
1
Unknown
2

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, August 4, 1957

12 mile path Longest path

32.4 miles, F1

September 1, 1971, whole path Widest

880 yards, F0

August 29, 1957
Every tornado

All 75 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Nov 18, 2025EF01.11 mi30 yd00
Sep 27, 2025EFU0.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EFU0.45 mi5 yd00
Jul 24, 2020EF00.36 mi50 yd00
Nov 29, 2019EF03.56 mi100 yd00
Nov 29, 2019EF04.5 mi100 yd00
Nov 29, 2019EF08.85 mi200 yd00
Nov 29, 2019EF010.09 mi100 yd00
Sep 25, 2019EF00.67 mi50 yd00
Sep 23, 2019EF01.03 mi100 yd00
Jul 30, 2019EF00.95 mi50 yd00
Oct 23, 2018EF03.73 mi100 yd00
Aug 3, 2017EF00.25 mi100 yd00
Oct 6, 2015EF00.56 mi50 yd00
Mar 1, 2014EF00.45 mi100 yd00
Jul 29, 2010EF11.42 mi40 yd01
Feb 28, 2003F00.5 mi20 yd00
Jul 14, 1995F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 13, 1995F10.5 mi10 yd00
Mar 7, 1994F00.2 mi10 yd00
Feb 8, 1994F01 mi20 yd00
Feb 8, 1993F00.5 mi20 yd00
Jan 18, 1993F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jan 17, 1993F22.1 mi50 yd00
May 23, 1992F10.5 mi20 yd00
Cities

Cities in Maricopa County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.