Orinda, CA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Orinda, CA had?
Orinda has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Orinda?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orinda was an EF1 on January 23, 2010.
When is tornado season in Orinda?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orinda, 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
Recent Tornado Activity Near Orinda
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 total, averaging 0.1 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 Orinda been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Orinda from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Orinda
About Tornadoes in Orinda
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.
Orinda, California, situated in the San Francisco Bay Area's East Bay hills, has experienced eight documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This modest total reflects the region's Mediterranean climate and coastal geography, which typically do not favor the atmospheric conditions necessary for significant tornado development. All recorded events have been rated EF1 or weaker on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest) based on damage indicators.
The historical record shows clustering in the 1990s, when three tornadoes occurred within the search area, while the 1950s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s each saw one or two events. Of the eight tornadoes, five were rated EF0 and three reached EF1 intensity. September has been the most active month with two recorded tornadoes, though events have occurred across multiple seasons including winter and spring months. No tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began in 1950.
The costliest tornado on record touched down on April 1, 1958, producing $27,500 in property damage along a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 67 yards. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on March 20, 2005, traveling 3.0 miles with a relatively narrow 30-yard width and causing minimal damage. The widest tornado, spanning 150 yards at its peak, moved through the area on December 6, 1998, along a 1.5-mile path but caused no reported property damage.
The most recent tornado within the 25-mile radius struck on January 23, 2010, rated EF1 with a notably narrow maximum width of just 2 yards along its 1.6-mile path. This event caused an estimated $25,000 in property damage but no injuries. The infrequency and generally weak nature of tornadoes near Orinda align with broader patterns in coastal California, where cool ocean influences and terrain features typically suppress the severe thunderstorm activity that produces tornadoes in other parts of the United States.