Berkeley, CA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Berkeley, CA had?
Berkeley has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Berkeley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Berkeley was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in Berkeley?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Berkeley, with 2 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
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 Berkeley been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Berkeley from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Berkeley
About Tornadoes in Berkeley
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.
Berkeley, California, and the surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced six documented tornadoes since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively low count reflects the rarity of tornadic activity along the Pacific Coast, where atmospheric conditions typically differ significantly from the continental interior regions where tornadoes form more frequently. All recorded events have been rated EF1 or below on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage indicators, with EF0 representing the weakest category (winds 65–85 mph) and EF1 indicating moderate damage (winds 86–110 mph).
The temporal distribution of these tornadoes shows sporadic occurrence across the decades. One tornado was recorded in the 1950s, followed by a gap until the 1980s when two events occurred. The 1990s also saw two tornadoes, and one was documented in the 2000s. Of the six total events, four were rated EF0 and two were rated EF1. September has been the most active month with two recorded tornadoes, though events have also occurred in spring months including March and April, as well as in December.
The costliest tornado on record struck on April 1, 1958, producing $27,500 in property damage with an F1 rating. This event carved a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 67 yards. The widest tornado occurred on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards across during its 1.5-mile track, though it was rated F0 and caused no property damage. The longest-tracked tornado traveled 3.0 miles on March 20, 2005, with an F1 rating, a maximum width of 30 yards, and minimal reported damage of one dollar.
Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded within 25 miles of Berkeley have resulted in fatalities. This safety record, combined with the infrequent occurrence and generally weak intensity of local tornadoes, distinguishes the Bay Area's tornado climatology from regions where tornadoes pose more regular threats to life and property.