Newark, CA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Newark, CA had?
Newark has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Newark?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Newark was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in Newark?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Newark, 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 Newark been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Newark from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Newark
About Tornadoes in Newark
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.
Newark, California, and the surrounding 25-mile radius have experienced 12 documented tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the Bay Area's infrequent tornado activity compared to regions farther inland, though the city has seen occasional touchdowns across several decades.
The historical record shows considerable variation by decade. The 1990s accounted for more than half of all events with seven tornadoes, while the 1950s and 1980s each recorded two, and the 2000s saw one. Most of these tornadoes have been weak, with six rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Two tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, representing the most significant events in the area's recorded history.
January has been the peak month for tornado activity near Newark, with two events on record. This winter timing is unusual compared to the national pattern of spring and early summer tornado peaks, but reflects California's wet season when atmospheric instability can occasionally produce rotating storms. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado traveled 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. The widest tornado on record was another F2 event on May 6, 1998, which reached 100 yards in width along a 0.6-mile path.
Notably, none of the tornadoes recorded within 25 miles of Newark have resulted in fatalities. The most recent tornado touched down on March 20, 2005, rated F1 with a 3.0-mile path length and maximum width of 30 yards. While tornadoes remain relatively rare events in the Newark area, the historical record demonstrates that they can and do occur, particularly during the region's winter and spring months when atmospheric conditions occasionally support their development.