Benicia, CA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Benicia, CA had?
Benicia has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Benicia?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Benicia was an EF0 on April 7, 2011.
When is tornado season in Benicia?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Benicia, 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 Benicia
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Benicia been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Benicia from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Benicia
About Tornadoes in Benicia
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.
Benicia, California has experienced 9 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest count reflects the region's distance from the nation's most tornado-prone areas, though the Bay Area is not entirely immune to these rotating columns of air. All recorded tornadoes in the area have been weak, with 8 rated EF0 and just 1 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest).
The temporal distribution shows variability across decades, with the 1990s accounting for 4 events, the 1980s and 2010s each recording 2, and the 2000s contributing 1. Notably, December stands out as the peak month with 3 tornadoes on record, an unusual pattern compared to the spring-dominant tornado season observed in much of the continental United States. This winter concentration may reflect the influence of Pacific storm systems moving through California during the cool season.
None of the tornadoes within 25 miles of Benicia have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on April 7, 2011, when an EF0 tornado caused $26,000 in property damage along a brief 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards. This same tornado also represents the most recent recorded event in the area. The widest tornado on record touched down on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards across while traveling 1.5 miles, though it caused no reported damage. The longest-track tornado was an EF1 that carved a 1.6-mile path on January 23, 2010, with a narrow 2-yard width and $25,000 in damage.
The limited intensity and infrequent occurrence of tornadoes near Benicia underscore the differences between California's tornado climatology and that of regions farther east. While tornadoes can develop in the state, particularly when atmospheric conditions align during the passage of strong low-pressure systems, they remain rare events with minimal historical impact on the area.