Orange County, California tornadoes

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32 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: January 19, 2010, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total321950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthJanuary8 of 32
StrongestF3Feb 9, 1978
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries13whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 8Feb: 8Mar: 3Apr: 2May: 0Jun: 0Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 6Dec: 4JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January is the peak month, with 8 of 32 tornadoes.

By time of day

60 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 3: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 3: 0: 212 PM: 2: 4: 43 PM: 6: 2: 06 PM: 0: 0: 29 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 3:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01960: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 11980: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 01990: 0: 2: 3: 5: 1: 0: 0: 2: 1: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 02010: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

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
16
EF1
14
EF2
1
EF3
1

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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, February 9, 1978

2 mile path Longest path

10.9 miles, F1

March 16, 1977, whole path Widest

200 yards, F1

November 11, 1997

All 32 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 19, 2010EF14.62 mi25 yd00
Sep 22, 2007EF00.1 mi15 yd00
Feb 19, 2005F00.2 mi20 yd00
Feb 24, 2001F00.1 mi100 yd00
Feb 24, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
Dec 21, 1997F11 mi30 yd00
Nov 11, 1997F10.2 mi200 yd00
Feb 7, 1994F09 mi73 yd00
Nov 11, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd02
Feb 8, 1993F00.5 mi10 yd00
Jan 18, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 17, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd01
Jan 14, 1993F11 mi30 yd00
Dec 29, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 7, 1992F10.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 7, 1992F10.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 27, 1991F13 mi53 yd00
Feb 28, 1991F00.5 mi50 yd00
Jan 18, 1988F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jan 18, 1988F01.5 mi13 yd00
Mar 16, 1986F11.2 mi40 yd00
Jan 13, 1984F00.1 mi10 yd00
Nov 9, 1982F00.1 mi150 yd00
Nov 9, 1982F10.2 mi33 yd00
Jan 31, 1979F12 mi10 yd00

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 12, 2026.