Millbrae, CA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Millbrae, CA had?
Millbrae has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Millbrae?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Millbrae was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in Millbrae?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Millbrae, with 2 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
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 Millbrae been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Millbrae from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Millbrae
About Tornadoes in Millbrae
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.
Millbrae, California, situated on the San Francisco Peninsula, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than much of the central and southern United States. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, eight tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since 1950. None of these events resulted in fatalities, reflecting both the relatively weak intensity of Bay Area tornadoes and their occurrence in less densely developed areas or over water.
The recorded tornadoes span several decades, with the most active period occurring during the 1990s when four events were documented. Two tornadoes occurred in the 1950s, and single events were recorded in both the 1980s and 2000s. The majority of these tornadoes rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Four tornadoes received this lowest rating, while three were classified EF1 and one reached EF2 intensity. March has been the most common month for tornado activity near Millbrae, with two events on record during that month.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2-rated tornado tracked 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2.75 million in property damage. This same event holds the distinction of being both the longest-tracked and strongest tornado documented near the city. The widest tornado, measuring 150 yards across, touched down on December 6, 1998, as an F0 that traveled 1.5 miles without causing reported property damage.
The most recent tornado near Millbrae occurred on March 20, 2005, when an F1 tornado with a 30-yard width traveled three miles. This event caused minimal damage, recorded at just one dollar. The rarity of tornadoes in the Bay Area reflects the region's marine climate, which typically lacks the atmospheric instability and wind shear patterns that generate frequent tornado activity in other parts of the country.