Tornado History

Arizona Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Arizona. The local dataset contains 299 tornado records from 1952 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F3 (Severe damage) and at least $49.2M in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is May 25, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 3 deaths and 152 injuries.

Key Tornado Statistics

Total Tornadoes299
Total Deaths3
Total Injuries152
Property Damage$49.2M
Avg Length2.2 mi
Avg Width77 yd

Key Tornado Facts for Arizona

Top local patterns from the historical tornado records in this group.

Average 4.0 tornadoes per year (6.0/yr in last decade)
July is the peak tornado month with 58 recorded events
Deadliest tornado: F2 in Arizona with 2 deaths
1972 was the most active year with 17 tornadoes
The 1970s had the most tornado activity (52 events)
Longest tornado: 32.4 miles in Arizona
Widest tornado: 1,500.0 yards in Arizona
Most tornadoes in one day: 11 on Oct 6, 2010

Monthly Distribution

Shows tornado frequency across months of the year, highlighting seasonal patterns and peak tornado periods.

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Summary: In Arizona, July is the most active month with 58 tornadoes.

Annual Tornado Trend

Shows year-by-year tornado counts, making active years and quiet stretches easier to spot.

171260

Summary: 1972 was the most active year with 17 recorded tornadoes.

Tornado Intensity Distribution

Shows the breakdown of tornadoes by EF/F rating.

F0
EF0
F1
EF1
F2
EF2
F3
EF3
Unknown
EFU

Summary: F0 tornadoes are the most common in this group, with 99 recorded events.

Property Damage Trends

Visualizes reported property damage over time. Bars use a log-like scale so very large damage years do not flatten the rest of the chart.

$30.6M$3.1M$306K$0

Summary: The highest reported property damage year in this group is 1972 with at least $30.6M in NOAA-listed property damage.

Tornado Count By County

Compares the counties with the most tornado records in this state dataset.

Maricopa
Coconino
Yavapai
Pima
Pinal
Navajo
Cochise
Apache
Mohave
Yuma
Gila
Santa Cruz
Graham
La Paz

Summary: Maricopa County has the highest count in this state group with 68 tornado records.

Historical Track Sketch

EF3 October 6, 20102010EF3 October 6, 20102010F3 August 4, 19571957F3 August 10, 19721972F2 June 21, 19721972F2 January 17, 19931993F2 August 30, 19711971EF2 October 6, 20102010F2 July 28, 19941994F2 August 17, 19591959F2 October 3, 19681968F2 August 27, 19641964F2 July 4, 19681968F2 September 14, 19711971F2 October 24, 1992EF2 October 6, 2010EF2 October 6, 2010EF2 October 6, 2010EF2 September 14, 2011F1 September 10, 1972F1 June 21, 1972F1 July 6, 1992EF1 October 3, 2022F1 September 8, 1961F1 July 27, 1961F1 August 16, 1969F1 September 1, 1971F1 September 18, 1972F1 June 21, 1972F1 June 23, 1974F1 September 5, 1981F1 September 5, 1981F1 September 5, 1981F1 August 16, 1983F1 December 27, 1983F1 August 9, 1984F1 November 18, 1986F1 August 24, 1991F1 September 13, 1996EF1 September 23, 2019EF1 July 2, 2024F1 June 13, 1955F1 November 2, 1959F1 July 22, 1961F1 August 9, 1966F1 July 28, 1966F1 July 16, 1967F1 July 20, 1968F1 August 1, 1969F1 September 5, 1970F1 July 16, 1971F1 July 17, 1971F1 October 18, 1971F1 October 18, 1972F1 September 18, 1972F1 August 6, 1983F1 August 8, 1983F1 July 16, 1984F1 July 22, 1984F1 March 15, 1985F1 July 20, 1988F1 January 6, 1992F1 May 23, 1992F1 August 24, 1974F1 August 12, 1976F1 July 31, 1983F1 September 22, 1987F1 August 12, 1972F1 September 1, 1971F1 August 6, 1974F1 October 23, 1974F1 October 23, 1974F1 December 23, 1975F1 May 4, 1976F1 March 25, 1977F1 May 1, 1980F1 May 1, 1980F1 July 16, 1984F1 January 18, 1993F1 July 14, 1996© OpenStreetMap contributors
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Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
October 6, 2010EF3Coconino, Arizona30.06 mi800 yd00$400K
October 6, 2010EF3Coconino, Arizona4 mi1100 yd00$200K
August 4, 1957F3Maricopa, Arizona12 mi33 yd00$2K
August 10, 1972F3Yavapai, Arizona0 mi33 yd00$30
June 21, 1972F2Maricopa, Arizona13.5 mi33 yd03$25.0M
January 17, 1993F2Maricopa, Arizona2.1 mi50 yd00$5.0M
August 30, 1971F2Maricopa, Arizona4.7 mi400 yd041$2.5M
October 6, 2010EF2Coconino, Arizona26 mi500 yd07$1.0M
July 28, 1994F2Pima, Arizona2 mi25 yd00$500K
August 17, 1959F2Yuma, Arizona0 mi200 yd01$250K
October 3, 1968F2Maricopa, Arizona0 mi50 yd03$250K
August 27, 1964F2Pima, Arizona0 mi33 yd29$25K
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Source And Limits

Data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center and the NCEI Storm Events Database. TornadoTrace summarizes reported weather events for screening and research; it is not a damage assessment, inspection, or insurance determination. Coordinates and records can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. No warranty of completeness or accuracy.

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