Bakersfield, CA Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Bakersfield, CA had?
Bakersfield has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Bakersfield?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Bakersfield was an EF0 on June 2, 2019.
When is tornado season in Bakersfield?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Bakersfield, with 3 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 Bakersfield
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 total, averaging 0.1 per year over this window.
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 Bakersfield been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Bakersfield from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Bakersfield
About Tornadoes in Bakersfield
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.
Bakersfield, California has experienced seven documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All seven events were rated EF0, the weakest classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. This rating indicates estimated wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph.
Tornado activity in the Bakersfield area has been concentrated in two decades: four tornadoes occurred during the 1990s and three during the 2010s. February has been the most active month historically, accounting for three of the seven recorded events. The most recent tornado touched down on June 3, 2019, traveling 0.2 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards and causing no property damage or injuries. This event also holds the record as the widest tornado documented in the area.
The longest-tracked tornado on record occurred on November 22, 1996, carving a 2.0-mile path with a narrow maximum width of just 10 yards and producing no damage. The costliest tornado struck on February 23, 1993, resulting in $2,750 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path that reached 30 yards wide. Despite this being the most economically significant event, the damage remained minimal by national tornado standards.
Notably, no tornadoes in the Bakersfield area have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began in 1950. The consistently weak intensity of these storms reflects the region's position west of the primary tornado-prone areas of the central United States, where atmospheric conditions more frequently support the development of stronger, more destructive tornadoes. While tornadoes remain relatively rare events in this part of California, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and warrant awareness among residents.