San Francisco, CA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Francisco, CA had?
San Francisco has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Francisco?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Francisco was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in San Francisco?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Francisco, 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 Francisco been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Francisco from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Francisco
About Tornadoes in San Francisco
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 Francisco, California, sits in a region where tornadoes are exceptionally rare compared to much of the United States. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, only six tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since 1950. All of these events were rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating relatively weak tornadoes with maximum wind speeds below 110 mph. No tornado on record in this area has resulted in any fatalities.
The temporal distribution of these tornadoes shows considerable variability across decades. One tornado occurred in the 1950s, followed by a quiet period until a single event in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the most activity with three tornadoes, while the 2000s recorded one event. March has been the most active month historically, with two tornadoes documented during that period. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, with ratings ranging from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (most violent).
Among the recorded tornadoes, the costliest occurred on April 1, 1958, when an F1-rated tornado caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.2-mile path with a maximum width of 67 yards. The widest tornado on record touched down on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards across during its 1.5-mile track, though it caused no reported property damage. The longest-track tornado occurred on March 20, 2005, traveling three miles with a maximum width of 30 yards and causing minimal damage estimated at just one dollar. This 2005 event also stands as the most recent tornado documented in the San Francisco area.
The rarity of tornadoes near San Francisco reflects the region's coastal Mediterranean climate, which typically lacks the atmospheric conditions that produce severe thunderstorms and tornadoes common in other parts of the country. While weak tornadoes can occasionally develop in association with winter storms or unstable weather patterns moving through the area, residents face far lower tornado risk than communities in the central and southeastern United States.