San Bruno, CA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Bruno, CA had?
San Bruno has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Bruno?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Bruno was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in San Bruno?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Bruno, 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
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 San Bruno been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Bruno from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Bruno
About Tornadoes in San Bruno
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.
San Bruno, California, located on the San Francisco Peninsula, has experienced 8 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest count reflects the region's coastal climate, where tornadoes are far less common than in the central United States. None of these events resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred on several occasions.
The most significant tornado on record struck on January 11, 1951, rated F2 on the Fujita scale. This event carved a 5.7-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2.75 million in property damage. The narrow but lengthy track made it both the costliest and longest tornado documented near San Bruno. Decades later, the widest tornado occurred on December 6, 1998, when an F0 tornado reached 150 yards across during its 1.5-mile path, though it caused no reported property damage.
Tornado activity near San Bruno has been sporadic across the decades. Two tornadoes were recorded in the 1950s, followed by a quiet period until a single event in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with four tornadoes, while the 2000s recorded one event. The most recent tornado touched down on March 20, 2005, rated F1 with a 3-mile path and 30-yard width, causing minimal damage valued at just one dollar.
By intensity, the majority of tornadoes near San Bruno have been weak: four rated EF0, three rated EF1, and only one rated EF2. March has been the most active month with two recorded events, though tornadoes have occurred in various months throughout the year. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators, helps meteorologists classify these events even in regions where tornadoes remain uncommon.