July 25, 2025

By Jay Faught

Recently someone asked me if I thought tornadoes were becoming more common in our area and whether that could be attributed to climate change. At first I thought, they probably have become more frequent. So I dove into the data to find out what the numbers really show.

Using tornado records from 1950 through 2024, New Mexico has seen a total of 663 tornadoes. As expected, most of them occurred in the eastern plains of the state, where the geography and climate are more favorable for tornado development.

Between 1950 and 2024, there were 18 confirmed tornadoes in Santa Fe County. That averages out to about two tornadoes per decade. Here's the breakdown by decade:

• 1950s: 4 tornadoes
  
• 1960s: 2 tornadoes
  
• 1970s: 2 tornadoes
  
• 1980s: 2 tornadoes
  
• 1990s: 1 tornado
  
• 2000s: 3 tornadoes
  
• 2010s: 3 tornadoes
  
• 2020s (so far): 1 tornado

From that data, there’s no strong evidence that tornadoes are becoming more frequent in Santa Fe County. In fact, the numbers have remained fairly consistent over the decades, with slight variation. The county averages about one tornado every five years.

Of the 18 tornadoes reported since 1950:

• 16 were rated EF0, the weakest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with winds between 65 and 85 mph.
  
• 2 were rated EF1, with winds between 86 and 110 mph.
  

One of the more noteworthy events occurred in 1966, when an EF1 tornado near what is now Buffalo Thunder Resort caused an estimated $250,000 in damage—a significant impact for the time.

Even though the actual number of tornadoes hasn't increased significantly, it may feel like we're hearing about them more often—and there's a reason for that.

In the past, tornado warnings were typically only issued when someone visually confirmed a tornado on the ground. But thanks to advances in technology, today’s high-resolution radar systems can detect potential rotation in the clouds even before a tornado touches down—or in some cases, even if one never does.

These radar-indicated warnings are an important tool used by the National Weather Service to provide earlier alerts and help keep people safe. This increase in warning frequency reflects improved detection, not necessarily more tornadoes.

If you’re looking for daily, local forecasts specifically for Santa Fe and surrounding areas, check out my Santa Fe Weather Facebook group and visit my website at santafewx.com. I provide forecast-focused information tailored to our region, which can help you prepare for the days ahead.

That said, for real-time updates, severe weather warnings, and emergency information, your best resources remain the National Weather Service, a NOAA Weather Radio, or a trusted mobile app with push alerts for your location. These sources are designed to provide immediate, life-saving information when it matters most.