Riverbank, CA Tornado History — 19 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Riverbank, CA had?
Riverbank has had 19 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Riverbank?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Riverbank was an EF0 on April 1, 2025.
When is tornado season in Riverbank?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Riverbank, with 9 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 Riverbank
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 Riverbank been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Riverbank from any of the 19 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Riverbank
About Tornadoes in Riverbank
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.
Riverbank, California has experienced 19 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. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF2 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with 11 classified as EF0, seven as EF1, and just one reaching EF2 intensity. Notably, no tornado in the area's recorded history has resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity near Riverbank has been distributed fairly evenly across the decades, with slight peaks in the 1970s, 2000s, and 2010s, each recording four events. The 1950s saw two tornadoes, while the 1960s and 1980s each had one. The current decade has recorded one tornado as of early 2025. April stands out as the most active month, accounting for nine of the 19 total events, consistent with springtime patterns when temperature contrasts and atmospheric instability increase across California's Central Valley.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on November 15, 2015, when an EF1 twister carved a 3.0-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards, causing $1,000,000 in property damage but no injuries. This same event also holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area. The widest tornado struck on March 4, 1978, reaching 880 yards across during its one-mile journey as an F1, causing $275,000 in damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on April 1, 2025, traveling 0.9 miles with a maximum width of 70 yards and causing $20,000 in property damage.
While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in this part of California compared to the central United States, the historical record demonstrates that the Riverbank area experiences these events with enough regularity to warrant awareness and preparedness, particularly during the spring months when conditions are most favorable for their formation.