Riverside County, California tornadoes

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27 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: October 8, 2022, EF0. 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

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthAugust6 of 27
StrongestF3Aug 16, 1973
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries4whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 3Feb: 2Mar: 1Apr: 2May: 5Jun: 0Jul: 3Aug: 6Sep: 2Oct: 2Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 6 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 312 PM: 0: 1: 03 PM: 7: 4: 76 PM: 1: 1: 09 PM: 1: 0: 112 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

40 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 0: 4: 02010: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 0: 2: 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
20
EF1
4
EF2
1
EF3
1
Unknown
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, August 16, 1973

0.1 mile path Longest path

14.26 miles, EF0

January 21, 2010, whole path Widest

900 yards, EF1

August 6, 2015

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Oct 8, 2022EF01.56 mi50 yd00
Aug 28, 2022EFU0.17 mi50 yd00
Aug 16, 2018EF00.24 mi2 yd00
Oct 17, 2015EF00.04 mi50 yd00
Aug 6, 2015EF13.98 mi900 yd02
Apr 21, 2015EF010 mi200 yd00
Sep 9, 2012EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Aug 12, 2012EF00.5 mi50 yd00
Jan 21, 2010EF014.26 mi100 yd00
May 22, 2008EF00.36 mi10 yd00
May 22, 2008EF00.96 mi20 yd00
May 22, 2008EF22.8 mi75 yd01
May 22, 2008EF00.89 mi20 yd00
Jul 23, 2006F01 mi20 yd00
Jul 23, 2005F02 mi50 yd00
Feb 26, 2005F02 mi15 yd00
Feb 19, 2005F12.8 mi25 yd00
Jan 9, 2005F00.1 mi25 yd00
May 13, 1998F00.2 mi40 yd00
Dec 22, 1996F10.1 mi25 yd00
Aug 12, 1994F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 20, 1991F00.2 mi10 yd00
Sep 18, 1985F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 20, 1982F00.3 mi60 yd00
Jul 20, 1974F11 mi20 yd01

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.