How Common Are Tornadoes In Utah Compared To Other States?

Utah has its share of natural disasters like heavy flooding and forest fires and sometimes it branches out to tornados.

Though tornados aren’t common in Utah, with the wind gusts sometimes being quite powerful, it seems like we COULD get one. However, there aren’t many tornados that have been recorded in the state. Though one of the strongest and largest ones yet did occur in 2022.

So, there could potentially be a tornado that's big and scary enough to warrant more attention. It’s highly unlikely that Utah will need to install any tornado sirens though.

Read More Here: A History of Utah's Worst Fires

Utah has a pretty low rate for tornados though every great once in a while, a destructive one appears. Usually during the months of May, June, July, and August is when Utah is most likely to see a tornado because of the storm season.

Tornados are rated on the Enhanced Fujita Scale ranging from EF0 to EF5. The EF5 tornados have winds with speeds over 200 mph while most U.S. tornados range in the 110mph category. So, if an EF5 were to happen it would be somehow even more devastating than some of the tornados already seen in the south.

Luckily, the highest rating Utah has ever seen is an EF2.

Worst Tornados in Utah History

Aug. 11, 1999

EF2
Power Outage
1 Death
80 Injured
$170M in Property Damage

Sept. 22, 2016

EF1
50 Feet Wide
$2.3M in Property Damage

Jun. 19, 2022

EF2
880 Feet Wide
No death or injuries
No property damage

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