Gilroy, CA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Gilroy, CA had?
Gilroy has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Gilroy?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Gilroy was an EF0 on January 6, 2016.
When is tornado season in Gilroy?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Gilroy, 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 Gilroy
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Gilroy been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Gilroy from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Gilroy
About Tornadoes in Gilroy
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.
Gilroy, California has experienced nine documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's location west of the Rockies, where tornado formation is less common than in the central United States due to different atmospheric dynamics and the stabilizing influence of the Pacific Ocean.
The tornadoes on record have been predominantly weak, with six rated EF0, two rated EF1, and one rated EF2. No tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in the area. The costliest event occurred on April 3, 1987, when an F0 tornado caused $275,000 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The longest-track tornado touched down on December 22, 2012, traveling 1.1 miles as an EF0 with $40,000 in damage, while the widest reached 100 yards across during a December 6, 1998 event that carved a one-mile path.
Tornado activity in the Gilroy area has been sporadic across the decades, with three events in the 1980s representing the most active period. The 1960s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s each saw one or two tornadoes. April has been the peak month for tornado occurrence with three events, though tornadoes have also been documented in December and January, demonstrating that California's tornado season does not follow the traditional spring pattern seen in much of the country. The most recent tornado occurred on January 6, 2016, an EF0 that traveled 0.6 miles with a 20-yard width and caused no damage or injuries.
While tornadoes remain relatively rare in the Gilroy vicinity compared to regions farther east, the historical record confirms they do occur and warrant awareness among residents. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to rate tornado intensity based on damage indicators, replaced the original Fujita scale and provides more precise assessments of wind speeds and structural impact.