Atwater, CA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Atwater, CA had?
Atwater has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Atwater?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Atwater was an EF0 on April 27, 2016.
When is tornado season in Atwater?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Atwater, with 8 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Atwater
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 total, averaging 0.1 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Atwater since December 29, 2025
These are 2 preliminary reports, not confirmed tornadoes. They have not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and are not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
Within 25 miles of Atwater. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Have any tornadoes near Atwater been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Atwater from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Atwater
About Tornadoes in Atwater
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Atwater, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 24 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While California is not typically associated with frequent tornado activity compared to the Great Plains, the state does see occasional tornadoes, particularly in the agricultural valleys where atmospheric conditions can support rotating thunderstorms during certain times of year.
The historical record shows considerable variation by decade, with the 1990s and 2000s accounting for the majority of events—7 and 8 tornadoes respectively. Earlier decades saw fewer occurrences, with only 2 tornadoes in the 1950s, 1 in the 1960s, 3 in the 1970s, and 1 in the 1980s. The 2010s recorded 2 tornadoes. All 24 tornadoes have been rated either EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 16 classified as EF0 and 8 as EF1, indicating relatively weak intensity with wind speeds generally below 110 mph. Notably, none of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities.
April stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the Atwater area, with 8 events occurring during that month. This aligns with springtime patterns when the clash between cool Pacific air masses and warmer valley conditions can generate severe thunderstorms. The costliest tornado on record struck on January 15, 1995, producing $2.75 million in property damage along a 1-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The widest tornado occurred on March 4, 1978, reaching 880 yards across and causing $275,000 in damage over a 1-mile track.
The longest-track tornado in the area's recorded history touched down on November 15, 2015, traveling 3 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards and causing $1 million in property damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado occurred on April 27, 2016, with minimal impact—a brief 0.1-mile path only 5 yards wide that resulted in just $500 in damage.