Lafayette, CA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lafayette, CA had?
Lafayette has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Lafayette?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lafayette was an EF0 on April 7, 2011.
When is tornado season in Lafayette?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lafayette, 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 Lafayette
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Lafayette been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lafayette from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lafayette
About Tornadoes in Lafayette
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.
Lafayette, California, situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, has experienced 12 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest count reflects the region's distance from the nation's most tornado-prone areas, though the Bay Area does occasionally see weak tornadoes associated with Pacific storm systems and localized atmospheric instability.
The historical record shows notable clustering in the 1990s, when five tornadoes occurred in the area, followed by three events in the 1980s and two in the 2010s. The 1950s and 2000s each recorded one tornado. All documented events have been weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with nine rated EF0 and three rated EF1. These lower-intensity tornadoes typically produce wind speeds below 110 mph and cause limited structural damage, often affecting roofs, trees, and power lines rather than destroying buildings.
April emerges as the peak month for tornado activity near Lafayette, accounting for three of the 12 recorded events. This spring maximum aligns with broader patterns across much of the United States, when contrasting air masses and strong jet stream dynamics create favorable conditions for severe thunderstorms. The costliest tornado on record touched down on April 25, 1994, causing $27,500 in property damage along a 0.7-mile path. The widest tornado, with a maximum width of 150 yards, occurred on December 6, 1998, traveling 1.5 miles, while the longest-track event carved a 3.0-mile path on March 20, 2005.
Significantly, no tornadoes in the Lafayette area have resulted in fatalities since records began in 1950. The most recent event occurred on April 7, 2011, when an EF0 tornado with a brief 0.1-mile path and maximum width of just 10 yards caused $26,000 in damage. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in this part of California compared to the central and southeastern United States, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the spring months.