Richmond, CA Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Richmond, CA had?
Richmond has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Richmond?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Richmond was an EF0 on April 7, 2011.
When is tornado season in Richmond?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Richmond, 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 Richmond
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 Richmond been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Richmond from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Richmond
About Tornadoes in Richmond
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.
Richmond, California, located on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, has experienced seven documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest tornado activity reflects the Bay Area's generally stable climate, where tornadoes are far less common than in the central and southeastern United States. All recorded events have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds below 110 mph, and none have resulted in fatalities.
The tornadoes recorded near Richmond show an irregular temporal distribution across the decades. One event occurred in the 1950s, followed by a quiet period until two tornadoes were documented in the 1980s and two more in the 1990s. The 2000s and 2010s each saw one tornado. Five of the seven tornadoes were rated EF0, the weakest classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale, while two reached EF1 intensity. April has been the most active month historically, with two tornadoes on record, though events have occurred in other months including March and December.
The costliest tornado on record struck on April 1, 1958, an F1-rated event that caused $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 as an F1 with a relatively narrow 30-yard width and causing minimal damage. The widest tornado, measuring 150 yards across, touched down on December 6, 1998, as an F0 that traveled 1.5 miles without causing property damage.
The most recent tornado near Richmond occurred on April 7, 2011, an EF0 event that caused $26,000 in property damage along a brief 0.1-mile path just 10 yards wide. While tornadoes can develop in the Bay Area under specific atmospheric conditions—typically when cold, unstable air masses move over the region—the overall risk remains low compared to many other parts of the country, and no fatalities have been recorded in any of the documented events within the search radius.