Prunedale, CA Tornado History — 14 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Prunedale, CA had?
Prunedale has had 14 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Prunedale?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Prunedale was an EF0 on January 6, 2019.
When is tornado season in Prunedale?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Prunedale, 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 Prunedale
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 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 Prunedale been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Prunedale from any of the 14 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Prunedale
About Tornadoes in Prunedale
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.
Prunedale, California has experienced 14 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. The vast majority of these events have been weak, with nine rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only one tornado reached EF2 strength during this period. Notably, no tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity near Prunedale shows an unusual seasonal pattern compared to much of the United States. December stands out as the peak month, accounting for six of the 14 recorded events. This winter concentration reflects California's wet season, when atmospheric conditions occasionally support tornado development in association with strong Pacific storm systems. By decade, the 1990s saw the most activity with four tornadoes, while the 1960s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s each contributed between one and four events.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on December 7, 1992, when an F1 tornado carved a 7.0-mile path with a maximum width of 73 yards, causing $275,000 in property damage but no injuries. This same event also holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area. The widest tornado, measuring 100 yards across, touched down on December 6, 1998, as an F0 that traveled one mile and caused no damage. The most recent tornado struck on January 6, 2019, a brief EF0 event with a path length of just 0.1 miles and a maximum width of only six yards, resulting in no damage or casualties.
While tornadoes can occur anywhere given the right atmospheric conditions, California's events tend to be weaker and shorter-lived than those in the central United States, where stronger wind shear and instability more frequently produce violent tornadoes. The Prunedale area's tornado history reflects this pattern, with all recorded events remaining at EF2 intensity or below and causing relatively limited damage.