Rohnert Park, CA Tornado History — 11 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rohnert Park, CA had?
Rohnert Park has had 11 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rohnert Park?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rohnert Park was an EF1 on March 18, 2011.
When is tornado season in Rohnert Park?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rohnert Park, 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 Rohnert Park
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 Rohnert Park been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rohnert Park from any of the 11 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rohnert Park
About Tornadoes in Rohnert Park
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.
Rohnert Park, 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 distinct pattern, with December accounting for 6 of the 11 recorded events. This winter concentration reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can occasionally produce weak tornadoes along California's North Bay region.
The intensity distribution reveals that most tornadoes near Rohnert Park have been relatively weak. Nine events were rated EF1 (or F1 on the older Fujita scale), causing wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph. One tornado was rated EF0, the weakest category, while a single EF2 tornado occurred on June 1, 1958, traveling 15.0 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards and causing $27,500 in property damage. Remarkably, none of the 11 tornadoes on record resulted in any fatalities, though they did produce varying degrees of property damage.
Tornado activity near Rohnert Park has been sporadic across the decades. The 1990s saw the most activity with 6 tornadoes, including the costliest event on December 3, 1992, which caused $275,000 in damage along a 7.5-mile path. The 1950s, 1960s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s each recorded only one tornado. The most recent tornado touched down on March 18, 2011, an EF1 event with a brief 0.1-mile path that caused $50,000 in damage. The widest tornado on record occurred on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards across during its 1.5-mile track.
While California is not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, these records demonstrate that tornadoes do occur in the region, particularly during the winter months when atmospheric conditions occasionally become favorable for their formation. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007, rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on estimated wind speeds and observed damage to structures and vegetation.