Hanford, CA Tornado History — 25 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Hanford, CA had?
Hanford has had 25 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Hanford?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hanford was an EF0 on May 19, 2019.
When is tornado season in Hanford?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hanford, with 8 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 Hanford
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 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 Hanford been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Hanford from any of the 25 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Hanford
About Tornadoes in Hanford
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.
Since 1950, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Prediction Center has documented 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hanford, California. This Central Valley community experiences tornadoes far less frequently than regions in the Great Plains or Southeast, yet the historical record shows a persistent pattern of weak tornado activity spanning seven decades. No tornado-related fatalities have been recorded in this area during the period of record.
The majority of tornadoes near Hanford have been rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, accounting for 19 of the 25 events. Five tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one—an F2 tornado on April 5, 1980—has exceeded that threshold. That April 1980 event remains the longest-tracked tornado on record for the area, traveling 15.0 miles with a narrow 10-yard maximum width and causing $275,000 in property damage. Despite its relatively strong rating by local standards, it produced no injuries or fatalities.
Tornado activity near Hanford peaked during the 1990s, when nine tornadoes were recorded within the 25-mile radius. The 1980s saw five events, matching the total for the 2000s, while the 2010s recorded four tornadoes. The 1970s contributed two events to the historical record. March stands out as the most active month, with nine tornadoes occurring during that period, reflecting the influence of springtime weather systems that can generate rotating storms even in California's typically stable climate.
The costliest tornado on record touched down on January 27, 2008, an EF0-rated event that caused $750,000 in property damage along a 2.0-mile path with a maximum width of 50 yards. The most recent tornado occurred on May 19, 2019, also rated EF0, which was simultaneously the widest tornado in the local record at 100 yards across. That event traveled just 0.3 miles and caused no reported damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007, estimates tornado intensity based on damage indicators, replacing the original Fujita scale that classified the 1980 event.