Hercules, CA Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Hercules, CA had?
Hercules has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Hercules?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hercules was an EF0 on April 7, 2011.
When is tornado season in Hercules?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hercules, 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 Hercules
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 Hercules been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Hercules from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Hercules
About Tornadoes in Hercules
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.
Hercules, California has experienced seven tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. All seven events were rated EF0, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. EF0 tornadoes produce winds between 65 and 85 miles per hour and typically cause light damage such as broken tree branches and minor roof shingle loss.
The distribution of these tornadoes shows notable clustering by decade, with four occurring during the 1990s and two during the 1980s. The most recent tornado touched down on April 7, 2011, producing $26,000 in property damage along a brief 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards. This event also stands as the costliest tornado on record for the area, though the damage total remains modest compared to tornadoes in other regions of the country.
December emerges as the peak month for tornado activity near Hercules, with three of the seven recorded events occurring during this month. The widest and longest tornado on record struck on December 6, 1998, carving a 1.5-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards, though it caused no reported property damage. This December concentration differs from the national pattern, where tornado activity typically peaks during spring months when warm, humid air masses collide with cooler, drier air.
Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded near Hercules have resulted in fatalities. The exclusively EF0 ratings and absence of deaths reflect the generally weak nature of tornadoes in this coastal California region, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support the development of strong rotating thunderstorms compared to the central United States.