National Weather ServiceCaliforniaSevere Thunderstorm WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in California
The National Weather Service issued 217 severe thunderstorm warnings for California in 2025 and 112 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 36th most of any state. 2026 through September: 117, 12% above the average of 104 for those months in 2008-2025. San Bernardino was covered most often (421 times since 2008).
How many severe thunderstorm warnings does California get?
Every severe thunderstorm warning that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 117 |
| 2025 | 217 |
| 2024 | 111 |
| 2023 | 91 |
| 2022 | 128 |
| 2021 | 51 |
| 2020 | 67 |
| 2019 | 91 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2017 | 160 |
| 2016 | 90 |
| 2015 | 141 |
| 2014 | 104 |
| 2013 | 133 |
| 2012 | 108 |
| 2011 | 118 |
| 2010 | 101 |
| 2009 | 148 |
| 2008 | 92 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does California get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 421 | 73 | September 29, 2026 |
| Riverside | 247 | 54 | September 9, 2026 |
| San Diego | 166 | 36 | September 9, 2026 |
| Imperial | 164 | 39 | September 2, 2026 |
| Siskiyou | 163 | 59 | September 17, 2026 |
| Plumas | 120 | 30 | September 21, 2026 |
| Lassen | 112 | 19 | June 19, 2026 |
| Kern | 93 | 14 | October 14, 2025 |
| Los Angeles | 82 | 22 | February 18, 2026 |
| Fresno | 81 | 30 | April 22, 2026 |
| Tulare | 76 | 17 | April 22, 2026 |
| Sierra | 68 | 18 | September 21, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
The latest severe thunderstorm warnings for California in AreaZine's record
NWS Las VegasWarningSeptember 28, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: San Bernardino, CA
Expired 2:15 p.m. PDT, September 28, 2026
NWS EurekaWarningSeptember 16, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Mendocino and Trinity, CA
Expired 6:15 p.m. PDT, September 16, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningSeptember 1, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: La Paz, Yuma and Imperial, AZ and CA
Expired 6:15 p.m. PDT, September 1, 2026
NWS Las VegasWarningAugust 15, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: San Bernardino and Clark, CA and NV
Expired 1:30 p.m. PDT, August 15, 2026
NWS RenoWarningAugust 13, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Mono and Lyon, CA and NV
Expired 1:30 p.m. PDT, August 13, 2026
NWS Las VegasWarningAugust 13, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: San Bernardino and Clark, CA and NV
Expired 1:30 p.m. PDT, August 13, 2026
NWS PhoenixWarningAugust 12, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Imperial, CA
Expired 5:15 p.m. PDT, August 12, 2026
NWS Las VegasWarningAugust 11, 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: San Bernardino, CA
Expired 5:00 p.m. PDT, August 11, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a severe thunderstorm warning?
A severe thunderstorm warning means a storm is producing, or is about to produce, hail one inch across or larger and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in California.