NEW RIVER, AZ — While we may not see them as often as other parts of the country, tornadoes are possible -- and do happen -- in Arizona.
In fact, the state averages about four tornadoes a year, according to a graphic shared by the National Weather Service in Phoenix, using data from the Storm Prediction Center.
Thanks to @NWSPhoenix for the graphic. Tornados do occur in Arizona though it seems that only one EF-3 is on here and it's in the north on or near the Navajo tribal lands. Please correct me if I am wrong. pic.twitter.com/aFzzT1puku
— The AZ - abc15 - Data Guru (@Garrett_Archer) September 23, 2019
According to that graphic, 247 tornadoes, ranging from EF-0 to EF-3, have been recorded between 1950 - 2017.
In 2019, there were 7 tornadoes in the Phoenix area, the most in nearly 50 years, records show.
The top three years for tornado activity are:
- 1972, 16 tornadoes
- 1992, 14 tornadoes
- 2010, 12 tornadoes
On Friday, officials with the National Weather Service confirmed a tornado in the Kingman area.
