Patterson, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Patterson, CA had?
Patterson has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Patterson?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Patterson was an EF0 on April 1, 2025.
When is tornado season in Patterson?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Patterson, with 7 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 Patterson
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Patterson been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Patterson from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Patterson
About Tornadoes in Patterson
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.
Patterson, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 15 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's position west of the Great Plains, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support tornadic development. Unlike areas farther east where tornado activity peaks in late spring, Patterson's tornado record shows notable clustering in April, which accounts for 7 of the 15 recorded events.
The intensity distribution of these tornadoes has remained generally low, with 8 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale—indicating wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph—and 6 rated EF1, with winds from 86 to 110 mph. Only one tornado reached EF2 intensity, representing the upper threshold of what meteorologists classify as "significant" tornadoes. Importantly, none of the tornadoes on record in the Patterson area have resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred in several instances.
The costliest tornado in the area's recorded history struck on November 15, 2015, rated EF1 with a path length of 3.0 miles and a maximum width of 150 yards, causing $1,000,000 in property damage. This same event also holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado near Patterson. The widest tornado occurred on March 4, 1978, an F1-rated storm that reached 880 yards in width along a 1.0-mile path, causing $275,000 in damage. The most recent tornado touched down on April 1, 2025, an EF0 event that traveled 0.9 miles with a maximum width of 70 yards and caused $20,000 in property damage.
Tornado activity near Patterson has shown variability across decades, with the 1970s recording 3 events and the 2000s and 2010s each seeing 3 tornadoes. The 1960s had only a single recorded tornado, while the 1950s and 1990s each documented 2 events. The 2020s have thus far recorded 1 tornado. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in this part of California compared to the central United States, the historical record demonstrates that conditions occasionally align to produce these rotating columns of air, particularly during the spring months when temperature contrasts and wind shear can support supercell thunderstorm development.