Oakland, CA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Oakland, CA had?
Oakland has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Oakland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Oakland was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in Oakland?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Oakland, 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 Oakland been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Oakland from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Oakland
About Tornadoes in Oakland
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.
Oakland, California has experienced eight tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to records maintained by the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the Bay Area's generally low tornado frequency compared to regions where atmospheric conditions more regularly support severe convective storms. All eight tornadoes were rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest, with winds 65–85 mph) to EF5 (strongest, with winds exceeding 200 mph). Six of Oakland's tornadoes were rated EF0, while two reached EF1 intensity.
Tornado activity near Oakland has been sporadic across the decades. One tornado occurred in the 1950s, followed by a quiet period until three tornadoes touched down during the 1980s. Another three occurred in the 1990s, and one was recorded in the 2000s. March has been the most active month, with two tornadoes on record, though tornadoes have also occurred in other months including April and December. This seasonal pattern differs somewhat from the national peak in spring and early summer, when warm, moist air masses collide with cooler air to generate the supercell thunderstorms that produce most tornadoes.
None of the tornadoes recorded near Oakland have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event was an F1 tornado on April 1, 1958, which caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 67 yards. The widest tornado was an F0 that touched down on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards in width over a 1.5-mile path but causing no reported property damage. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on March 20, 2005, traveling three miles with a maximum width of 30 yards and causing minimal damage recorded as $1. This March 2005 event remains the most recent tornado on record within 25 miles of Oakland.