Are there tornadoes in Phoenix, AZ?

We also have a peculiar phenomenon called a Microburst. By definition, it is: A microburst is a small, very intense downdraft that descends to the ground resulting in a strong wind divergence. The size of the event is typically less than 4 kilometers across. read more

Tornadoes are pretty rare in Phoenix but they can and do occur, often tumbling mobile homes and uprooting trees. Much more common, though, are what are called"dust devils" that seem to rise out of nowhere mostly in the bare desert areas. read more

Phoenix, AZ is a Very Low Risk area for tornados. According to records, the largest tornado in the Phoenix area was an F2 in 1971 that caused 41 injuries and 0 deaths. *Tornado risk is calculated from the destruction path that has occured within 30 miles of the location. read more

The tornado formed in the skies just south of downtown Phoenix by gusts of wind going 40 miles per hour about 5 p.m., said Andrew Deemer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix. Based on radar & photo evidence, we've classified a brief landspout tornado south of downtown Phoenix. read more