San Lorenzo, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has San Lorenzo, CA had?
San Lorenzo has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near San Lorenzo?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of San Lorenzo was a F1 on March 20, 2005.
When is tornado season in San Lorenzo?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near San Lorenzo, 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
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 Lorenzo been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of San Lorenzo from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near San Lorenzo
About Tornadoes in San Lorenzo
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 Lorenzo, California, located in the San Francisco Bay Area, has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest tornado activity reflects the region's coastal climate, where tornadoes are far less common than in the central United States. The majority of these events have been weak, with nine rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Two tornadoes reached EF2 strength, capable of causing considerable damage to structures.
Tornado activity near San Lorenzo has been notably variable by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with seven events, followed by five in the 1980s. The 1950s recorded two tornadoes, while only one occurred in the 2000s. March has been the peak month for tornado occurrence with three events on record, though tornadoes have formed during other times of the year as well. This seasonal pattern aligns with the passage of strong Pacific storm systems during late winter and early spring, which can occasionally produce the atmospheric conditions necessary for tornado formation in California.
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 $2.75 million in property damage. Despite its intensity and damage toll, this event resulted in no fatalities. The widest tornado recorded in the area was an F0 that touched down on December 6, 1998, reaching 150 yards in width over a 1.5-mile path but causing no monetary damage. The most recent tornado struck on March 20, 2005, rated F1 with a 3-mile path and 30-yard width, causing minimal damage.
Notably, none of the tornadoes on record within 25 miles of San Lorenzo have resulted in fatalities, a testament both to their generally weak nature and the relatively low population density in affected areas during these events. While tornadoes remain rare in the Bay Area compared to other regions of the country, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and warrant awareness among residents.