Shafter, CA Tornado History — 7 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Shafter, CA had?
Shafter has had 7 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Shafter?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Shafter was an EF0 on May 6, 2013.
When is tornado season in Shafter?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Shafter, 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 Shafter
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Shafter been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Shafter from any of the 7 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Shafter
About Tornadoes in Shafter
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.
Shafter, California has experienced seven tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. All seven events were rated EF0, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which indicates estimated wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph. None of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity near Shafter has been concentrated in two decades: five tornadoes occurred during the 1990s, and two more touched down in the 2010s. February has been the most active month historically, accounting for three of the seven recorded events. This winter peak differs from the traditional spring maximum seen in many parts of the United States, reflecting California's distinct weather patterns driven by Pacific storm systems during the cooler months.
The costliest and widest tornado on record occurred on February 23, 1993, causing $2,750 in property damage. This EF0 tornado traveled a brief 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The longest-track tornado near Shafter touched down on November 22, 1996, covering two miles with a narrow 10-yard width and causing no reported damage. The most recent event was an EF0 tornado on May 7, 2013, which traveled 0.4 miles with a 15-yard width and resulted in no damage or injuries.
The exclusively EF0 rating of all tornadoes near Shafter reflects the generally weaker nature of California tornadoes compared to those in the Great Plains and Southeast, where stronger atmospheric conditions more frequently support violent tornado development. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in this part of the San Joaquin Valley, the historical record demonstrates that brief, weak tornadoes can occur, particularly during the winter and early spring months when cold fronts move through the region.