San Leandro, CA Tornado History — 14 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Leandro, CA had?
San Leandro has had 14 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Leandro?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Leandro was an EF1 on January 23, 2010.
When is tornado season in San Leandro?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Leandro, with 3 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 Leandro
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 Leandro been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Leandro from any of the 14 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Leandro
About Tornadoes in San Leandro
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 Leandro, California, situated in the San Francisco Bay Area, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than many other regions of the United States, but they do occur. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 14 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950. These events have been predominantly weak, with 8 rated EF0 and 5 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Only one tornado reached EF2 intensity during this period.
The temporal distribution of tornadoes near San Leandro shows notable variation by decade. The 1980s and 1990s each saw 5 tornadoes, representing the most active periods on record, while the 1950s recorded 2 events. Activity decreased considerably in recent decades, with just 1 tornado documented in the 2000s and 1 in the 2010s. Unlike much of the central United States where tornado season peaks in spring and early summer, the San Leandro area sees its highest tornado frequency in January, with 3 events recorded in that month. This winter peak reflects the region's distinct meteorological patterns, driven by Pacific storm systems rather than the warm-season dynamics that produce most tornadoes nationwide.
The costliest and longest-tracked tornado on record 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. The widest tornado, reaching 150 yards across, touched down on December 6, 1998, as an F0 event that traveled 1.5 miles without causing property damage. Most recently, an EF1 tornado struck on January 23, 2010, producing a narrow 2-yard-wide path over 1.6 miles and causing $25,000 in damage.
Notably, no tornadoes within 25 miles of San Leandro have resulted in fatalities since records began in 1950. This safety record reflects both the generally weak nature of tornadoes in the region and the area's urban development patterns, though residents should remain aware that tornadoes can occur and stay informed during severe weather warnings.