Saratoga, CA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Saratoga, CA had?
Saratoga has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Saratoga?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Saratoga was an EF1 on December 14, 2024.
When is tornado season in Saratoga?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Saratoga, with 4 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 Saratoga
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Saratoga been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Saratoga from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 8 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Saratoga
About Tornadoes in Saratoga
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.
Saratoga, California, situated in the Santa Clara Valley at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than the nation's central plains, yet the area has recorded 13 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950 according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center data. These events have been predominantly weak, with six rated EF0 and five rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Two tornadoes reached EF2 intensity, representing the most significant events in the local record.
The temporal distribution of tornadoes in the Saratoga area shows considerable variation across decades. The 1990s saw the highest activity with five recorded tornadoes, while the 1950s, 1960s, 2000s, and 2020s each recorded only one event. The 1980s and 2010s each saw two tornadoes. Notably, January stands out as the peak month for tornado activity with four events, a pattern that differs markedly from the spring and early summer peak common in much of the continental United States. This winter concentration reflects California's wet season, when atmospheric conditions occasionally support rotating thunderstorms.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado traveled 5.7 miles with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2,750,000 in property damage. This event remains both the costliest and longest-tracked tornado in the area's history. The widest tornado, measuring 100 yards across, was an F0 that touched down on December 6, 1998, traveling one mile but causing no reported damage. Most recently, an EF1 tornado struck on December 14, 2024, with a 30-yard width and 0.3-mile path, causing minimal damage.
Throughout the entire period of record, no tornado-related fatalities have been documented within 25 miles of Saratoga. This safety record, combined with the relatively low frequency and generally weak intensity of local tornadoes, reflects both the rarity of severe convective storms in coastal California and the region's different meteorological regime compared to areas where tornadoes are more common.