Lathrop, CA Tornado History — 26 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lathrop, CA had?
Lathrop has had 26 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Lathrop?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lathrop was an EF0 on April 1, 2025.
When is tornado season in Lathrop?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lathrop, with 13 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 Lathrop
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Lathrop been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lathrop from any of the 26 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lathrop
About Tornadoes in Lathrop
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.
Lathrop, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 26 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are often associated with the Great Plains, California does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions can support rotating thunderstorms. The vast majority of tornadoes recorded near Lathrop have been weak, with 19 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest).
Tornado activity in the Lathrop area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 8 recorded events, while the 1950s recorded just a single tornado. The 1980s and 2000s each documented 4 tornadoes, and the most recent decades—the 2010s and 2020s—have each seen 2 events. April stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 13 of the 26 total events. This spring peak aligns with broader patterns of severe weather activity when cold fronts moving through California can interact with warmer, more unstable air masses.
The tornadoes recorded near Lathrop have generally been brief and narrow. Of the 26 events, 19 were rated EF0, 5 were rated EF1, and only 1 reached EF2 intensity. One tornado remains unrated in the historical record. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on April 19, 1988, when an F1 tornado caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 23 yards. The widest tornado, measuring 150 yards across, touched down on April 1, 1996, though it caused no reported damage. The longest track belonged to an F0 tornado on April 8, 2005, which traveled 1.5 miles.
The most recent tornado near Lathrop occurred on April 1, 2025, when an EF0 tornado carved a 0.9-mile path with a maximum width of 70 yards, causing $20,000 in property damage but no injuries. This event continues the area's pattern of relatively weak, short-lived tornadoes that typically occur during the spring season.