Tornado Alerts Near Santa Cruz, CA 95062

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Santa Cruz

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Santa Cruz area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity levelLow

Average per year0.3 tornados

Peak season monthDecember

Total on record15 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Santa Cruz

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 7 yd	None	2 mi	Jan 6, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 7 yd	None	3 mi	Jan 6, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 15 yd	None	60 mi	Apr 22, 2016
EF0	Light damage	0.7 mi × 20 yd	None	34 mi	Jan 6, 2016
EF0	Light damage	0.6 mi × 20 yd	None	34 mi	Jan 6, 2016
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 20 yd	None	11 mi	Dec 22, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 30 yd	None	22 mi	Apr 14, 2007
EF1	Moderate damage	0.5 mi × 60 yd	None	11 mi	Dec 20, 2001
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 100 yd	None	2 mi	Dec 5, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	24 mi	Dec 11, 1992

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Santa Cruz over 10 years

15

Total tornados on record

0.3

Average per year

EF2

Strongest recorded

Dec

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

11

EF1

3

EF2

1

EF3

0

EF4

0

EF5

0

Yearly Tornado Count

19852019

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF2SAN BENITO, CAMar 11, 1985

0.5 mi path

EF1MONTEREY, CADec 6, 1992

7 mi path2 injured

EF1MONTEREY, CADec 6, 1992

1 mi path

EF1SANTA CRUZ, CADec 20, 2001

0.5 mi path

EF0SANTA CRUZ, CADec 22, 2012

1.1 mi path

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Santa Cruz sees the most tornado activity in Dec. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

2%

Feb

3%

Mar

7%

Apr

10%

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

9%

Sep

7%

Oct

6%

Nov

5%

PEAK

Dec

3%

Current monthPeak for Santa Cruz

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Santa Cruz with live tracking