Santa Clara, CA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Santa Clara, CA had?
Santa Clara has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Santa Clara?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Santa Clara was an EF1 on December 14, 2024.
When is tornado season in Santa Clara?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Santa Clara, 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 Santa Clara
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 Santa Clara been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Santa Clara from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 8 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Santa Clara
About Tornadoes in Santa Clara
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.
Santa Clara, California has experienced 9 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the region's position along the Pacific Coast, where tornado formation is far less common than in the central United States. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF2 or lower on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, and notably, none have resulted in fatalities.
The distribution of these events shows considerable variation across decades. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with 5 tornadoes, while the 1980s recorded 2 events and both the 1950s and 2020s each documented 1 tornado. By intensity, the breakdown includes 4 EF0 tornadoes, 3 EF1 tornadoes, and 2 EF2 tornadoes. The most significant event on record occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado tracked 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. This same tornado holds the distinction of being both the costliest and longest-tracked tornado in the area's history.
Tornado activity near Santa Clara peaks in January, with 2 events recorded during that month. This winter maximum differs markedly from the spring peak typical of tornado-prone regions elsewhere in the country, reflecting the unique meteorological conditions of California's wet season when atmospheric dynamics occasionally support rotating thunderstorms. The widest tornado on record was an F2 event on May 6, 1998, which reached 100 yards in width despite tracking only 0.6 miles and causing minimal damage.
The most recent tornado occurred on December 14, 2024, when an EF1 tornado with a 30-yard maximum width traveled 0.3 miles and caused $10 in property damage. While tornadoes remain rare in the Santa Clara area compared to regions where severe convective storms are more frequent, the historical record demonstrates that they can and do occur, particularly during the winter months when Pacific storm systems bring unstable air masses into the region.