Castro Valley, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Castro Valley, CA had?
Castro Valley has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Castro Valley?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Castro Valley was an EF1 on January 23, 2010.
When is tornado season in Castro Valley?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 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 Castro Valley been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Castro Valley from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Castro Valley
About Tornadoes in Castro Valley
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.
Castro Valley, California, and the surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced 15 documented tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the spring-dominant tornado seasons common in the central United States, the Castro Valley area sees its peak tornado activity in January, with three events recorded in that month. This winter concentration reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can occasionally produce tornadoes when atmospheric conditions align favorably along the California coast.
The majority of tornadoes in this region have been relatively weak, with eight rated EF0 and five rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Two tornadoes reached EF2 strength, capable of considerable damage to structures. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado traveled 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2.75 million in property damage.
Tornado activity in the Castro Valley vicinity has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with seven tornadoes, while the 1980s recorded four events and the 1950s documented two. Both the 2000s and 2010s saw minimal activity, with only one tornado each decade. The most recent tornado touched down on January 23, 2010, as an EF1 event that traveled 1.6 miles with a maximum width of only 2 yards, causing $25,000 in damage. The widest tornado on record was an F0 that occurred on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards in width over a 1.5-mile path, though it caused no reported property damage.
While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in the Castro Valley area compared to regions with more frequent severe weather, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and warrant awareness among residents, particularly during the winter months when Pacific storm systems are most active.