Hollister, CA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Hollister, CA had?
Hollister has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Hollister?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Hollister was an EF0 on January 6, 2016.
When is tornado season in Hollister?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Hollister, 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 Hollister
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 Hollister been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Hollister from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Hollister
About Tornadoes in Hollister
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.
Hollister, California, located in San Benito County, has experienced 8 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest tornado activity reflects the region's position in coastal California, where atmospheric conditions conducive to tornado formation occur far less frequently than in the central United States. All recorded tornadoes in the area have been weak to moderate in intensity, with no fatalities on record.
The tornadoes near Hollister have been classified primarily as EF0 events, with 5 occurrences at this lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita scale. The area has also recorded 2 EF1 tornadoes and 1 EF2 tornado. The Enhanced Fujita scale rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on estimated wind speeds and observed damage, with EF0 representing winds of 65-85 mph and relatively minor damage. April has been the most active month for tornado activity, accounting for 3 of the 8 recorded events, while tornadoes have occurred sporadically across other months including December and January.
The costliest tornado on record struck on April 3, 1987, rated F0 on the original Fujita scale then in use. Despite its weak classification, this brief tornado caused $275,000 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest tornado occurred on April 1, 1965, an F1-rated event that reached 100 yards in width but caused no reported property damage along its short 0.1-mile track. The longest-track tornado traveled 1.1 miles on December 22, 2012, rated EF0 with $40,000 in damage.
Tornado activity near Hollister has been distributed unevenly across the decades. The 1960s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s each saw between 1 and 2 tornadoes, with the 1980s and both the 2000s and 2010s recording 2 events each. The most recent tornado occurred on January 6, 2016, an EF0 event that traveled 0.6 miles with a maximum width of 20 yards and caused no damage or injuries.