Modesto, CA Tornado History — 21 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Modesto, CA had?
Modesto has had 21 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Modesto?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Modesto was an EF0 on April 1, 2025.
When is tornado season in Modesto?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Modesto, with 10 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 Modesto
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 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 Modesto been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Modesto from any of the 21 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Modesto
About Tornadoes in Modesto
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.
Modesto, California has experienced 21 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in California's Central Valley compared to the Great Plains, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions favor severe thunderstorm development.
The majority of tornadoes recorded near Modesto have been weak, with 13 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Seven tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one has been classified as EF2. The Enhanced Fujita scale ranges from EF0, indicating winds of 65-85 mph with light damage, to EF5, representing winds exceeding 200 mph causing widespread destruction. Notably, no tornadoes in the Modesto area have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began.
Tornado activity has been distributed unevenly across the decades, with the 2000s seeing the highest frequency at five events, followed by the 1970s and 2010s with four each. April stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 10 of the 21 recorded events. This seasonal pattern aligns with spring weather systems that bring unstable air masses and wind shear conducive to rotating thunderstorms.
The costliest tornado on record struck on November 15, 2015, an EF1 event that caused $1,000,000 in property damage along a 3.0-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards. The widest tornado occurred on March 4, 1978, an F1 that reached 880 yards across during its 1.0-mile track, causing $275,000 in damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on April 1, 2025, traveling 0.9 miles and causing $20,000 in damage with no injuries reported.