Thousand Oaks, CA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Thousand Oaks, CA had?
Thousand Oaks has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Thousand Oaks?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Thousand Oaks was an EF0 on February 13, 2025.
When is tornado season in Thousand Oaks?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Thousand Oaks, 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 Thousand Oaks
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Thousand Oaks been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Thousand Oaks from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Thousand Oaks
About Tornadoes in Thousand Oaks
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.
Thousand Oaks, California, has experienced 13 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's location along the Southern California coast, where tornado formation is far less common than in the central and southeastern United States. The majority of these events have been weak, with 11 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on November 9, 1982, when an F2 tornado carved a one-mile path with a maximum width of 150 yards. This event caused $2.75 million in property damage but resulted in no fatalities. It remains both the costliest and widest tornado documented in the area. Only one other tornado has exceeded EF0 intensity: an EF1 event recorded in the database. No tornadoes in the Thousand Oaks area have caused any deaths since systematic record-keeping began in 1950.
Tornado activity in the region shows an unusual seasonal pattern compared to much of the country. January stands out as the peak month with three recorded events, a reflection of the winter storm systems that occasionally produce weak tornadoes along the California coast when atmospheric conditions align. The longest-tracked tornado was an EF0 that traveled 1.5 miles on January 21, 2010, though it caused no property damage. Tornado occurrence has been sporadic by decade, with the 1980s and 1990s each recording three events, while the 1950s and 1960s saw only one apiece.
The most recent tornado touched down on February 13, 2025, as an EF0 with a path length of 0.6 miles and a maximum width of 20 yards. Like most tornadoes in the Thousand Oaks vicinity, it caused no injuries or property damage. While tornadoes remain rare in Southern California compared to other regions of the United States, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and merit awareness among residents.