East Palo Alto, CA Tornado History — 11 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has East Palo Alto, CA had?
East Palo Alto has had 11 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near East Palo Alto?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of East Palo Alto was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in East Palo Alto?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near East Palo Alto, 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 East Palo Alto been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of East Palo Alto from any of the 11 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near East Palo Alto
About Tornadoes in East Palo Alto
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.
East Palo Alto, California has experienced 11 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest count reflects the region's climate patterns, which differ markedly from the conditions that produce frequent tornadoes in the central United States. Most recorded events have been weak, with five rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on observed damage. Two tornadoes reached EF2 strength, capable of considerable structural damage.
Tornado activity near East Palo Alto has been concentrated in specific decades. The 1990s saw the highest frequency with six tornadoes, while the 1950s and 1980s each recorded two events. Only one tornado occurred in the 2000s. January has been the peak month for tornado formation in this area, with two recorded events, a pattern that differs from the traditional spring peak seen in much of the country. Tornadoes can form in any month when atmospheric conditions align to produce rotating thunderstorms, though the specific triggers vary by region and season.
The costliest and longest-tracked tornado on record occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado traveled 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. The widest tornado reached 100 yards across during a brief 0.6-mile path on May 6, 1998, also rated F2. The most recent tornado touched down on March 20, 2005, rated F1 with a 3.0-mile path and 30-yard width. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record within this radius resulted in fatalities, though property damage has varied considerably across events.
While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in the San Francisco Bay Area compared to regions with more frequent severe thunderstorm activity, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and can cause significant property damage even when weak. Residents should remain aware of severe weather warnings and understand that California's tornado risk, though lower than many other states, is not zero.