San Jose, CA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Jose, CA had?
San Jose has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Jose?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Jose was an EF1 on December 14, 2024.
When is tornado season in San Jose?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Jose, 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 San Jose
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 San Jose been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Jose from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 8 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Jose
About Tornadoes in San Jose
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 Jose, California has experienced 9 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively low count reflects the region's geographic and climatic characteristics, which differ markedly from the continental interior zones where tornadoes occur more frequently. Unlike much of the central United States, where tornado activity peaks in spring and early summer due to clashes between warm, moist air and dry continental systems, San Jose's tornado record shows January as the peak month with 2 events, highlighting the influence of Pacific storm systems during the cool season.
The majority of recorded tornadoes in the San Jose area have been weak. Four tornadoes rated EF0 and three rated EF1 caused minimal structural damage, while two EF2 tornadoes represent the strongest events on record. No tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, rates tornadoes from EF0 (65–85 mph winds) to EF5 (over 200 mph), based on observed damage to structures and vegetation.
The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado carved a 5.7-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage but no injuries. Nearly five decades later, on May 6, 1998, the widest tornado on record touched down with a maximum width of 100 yards along a 0.6-mile path, though it caused only $4 in reported damage. The most recent event was an EF1 tornado on December 14, 2024, which traveled 0.3 miles with a 30-yard width and caused $10 in damage.
Tornado activity in the San Jose area has been sporadic across the decades. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 5 tornadoes, while the 1950s and 1980s each recorded 2 events, and the 2020s have recorded 1 thus far. The winter-season concentration of events distinguishes this area from typical tornado climatology elsewhere in the nation.