San Diego County, California tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: April 22, 2019, EFU. 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 San Diego County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthFebruary8 of 27
StrongestF1Apr 13, 1956
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 San Diego County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 3Feb: 8Mar: 5Apr: 2May: 1Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 1Oct: 3Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

February is the peak month, with 8 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 2: 1: 19 AM: 0: 1: 512 PM: 2: 2: 13 PM: 1: 1: 16 PM: 2: 3: 19 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 11:00 AM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11980: 1: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 12000: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 3: 2: 1: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 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
18
EF1
8
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F1, April 13, 1956

0.1 mile path Longest path

3 miles, F0

February 8, 1998, whole path Widest

440 yards, F1

March 19, 1991
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 22, 2019EFU0.31 mi50 yd00
Sep 22, 2007EF00.1 mi15 yd00
Mar 11, 2006F02 mi45 yd00
Mar 10, 2006F00.2 mi15 yd00
Feb 23, 2005F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 19, 2005F02.2 mi15 yd00
Feb 19, 2005F02.5 mi25 yd00
Oct 17, 2004F00.2 mi25 yd00
Nov 10, 2000F10.4 mi30 yd00
Jul 12, 1999F00.1 mi30 yd00
Feb 8, 1998F03 mi30 yd00
Jan 29, 1998F10.5 mi40 yd00
May 20, 1997F00.1 mi23 yd00
Dec 7, 1992F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 15, 1992F00.5 mi20 yd00
Mar 27, 1991F10.2 mi10 yd00
Mar 19, 1991F11 mi440 yd00
Jan 14, 1990F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 4, 1985F00.1 mi17 yd00
Mar 17, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 20, 1980F10.1 mi10 yd00
Jan 18, 1979F00.1 mi30 yd00
Dec 18, 1978F10.8 mi80 yd00
Oct 29, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 23, 1971F00.1 mi10 yd00
Cities

Cities in San Diego 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.