Burlingame, CA Tornado History — 10 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Burlingame, CA had?
Burlingame has had 10 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Burlingame?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Burlingame was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in Burlingame?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Burlingame, 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 Burlingame been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Burlingame from any of the 10 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Burlingame
About Tornadoes in Burlingame
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.
Burlingame, California has experienced 10 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the rarity of tornadoes along the central California coast, where atmospheric conditions typically differ from those in the nation's more tornado-prone regions. None of these events resulted in fatalities, though several caused notable property damage.
The majority of tornadoes near Burlingame occurred during the 1990s, which accounted for 6 of the 10 recorded events. The 1950s saw 2 tornadoes, while the 1980s and 2000s each recorded one. By intensity, most were relatively weak: 5 tornadoes rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, 3 rated EF1, and 2 reached EF2 strength. The Enhanced Fujita scale measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, with EF0 representing the weakest category and EF5 the most severe.
The costliest and longest-tracked tornado on record occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado carved a 5.7-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. The widest tornado, by contrast, was an F0 event on December 6, 1998, which reached 150 yards across during its 1.5-mile track but caused no reported property damage. The most recent tornado struck on March 20, 2005, rated F1 with a 3.0-mile path length and 30-yard maximum width, causing minimal damage.
February has been the most active month for tornadoes near Burlingame, with 2 events recorded during that month. This winter peak aligns with the season when Pacific storm systems occasionally produce the wind shear and instability necessary for tornado development in coastal California, though such occurrences remain uncommon compared to springtime tornado activity in other parts of the United States.