Petaluma, CA Tornado History — 11 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Petaluma, CA had?
Petaluma has had 11 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Petaluma?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Petaluma was an EF1 on March 18, 2011.
When is tornado season in Petaluma?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Petaluma, with 6 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 Petaluma
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 Petaluma been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Petaluma from any of the 11 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Petaluma
About Tornadoes in Petaluma
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.
Petaluma, California, has experienced 11 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, the area's tornado activity shows a pronounced winter maximum, with six events occurring in December alone. This seasonal pattern reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can produce brief, relatively weak tornadoes when atmospheric conditions align during the wet season.
The tornadoes on record have been predominantly weak, with nine rated EF1, one rated EF0, and only one reaching EF2 intensity. The strongest event, an F2 tornado on June 1, 1958, carved a 15-mile path with a maximum width of 50 yards and caused $27,500 in property damage. Remarkably, none of the 11 tornadoes resulted in any fatalities, reflecting both their generally modest intensity and the relatively low population density of affected areas during most events.
Activity varied considerably by decade, with the 1990s accounting for more than half of all recorded events—six tornadoes during that ten-year period. The costliest tornado struck on December 3, 1992, producing $275,000 in property damage along a 7.5-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado, reaching 150 yards across, occurred on December 6, 1998, though it caused minimal damage along its 1.5-mile track.
The most recent tornado touched down on March 18, 2011, an EF1 event that traveled just one-tenth of a mile with a 100-yard width and caused $50,000 in property damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation, with ratings from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in the Petaluma area compared to many other regions of the country, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and warrant awareness among residents.