Wasco, CA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Wasco, CA had?
Wasco has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Wasco?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Wasco was an EF0 on May 6, 2013.
When is tornado season in Wasco?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Wasco, 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 Wasco
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 Wasco been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Wasco from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Wasco
About Tornadoes in Wasco
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.
Wasco, California, located in the San Joaquin Valley, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than many other regions of the United States. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, only six tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950. This relatively low count reflects the area's climate patterns, where tornadoes are rare events compared to the Great Plains or southeastern states.
The recorded tornadoes have been predominantly weak, with five rated EF0 and just one rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. The EF0 rating indicates wind speeds of 65–85 mph, while EF1 tornadoes produce winds of 86–110 mph. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in any fatalities. The costliest event occurred on February 23, 1993, when an EF0 tornado caused $2,750 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards.
Temporal patterns in the data show sporadic activity across the decades. One tornado was recorded in the 1960s, three occurred during the 1990s, and two were documented in the 2010s. No tornadoes were recorded in several other decades. February stands out as the peak month with three events, an unusual pattern since tornadoes nationally are most common during spring and early summer months. The most recent tornado touched down on May 7, 2013, as an EF0 that traveled 0.4 miles with a maximum width of 15 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
The widest and longest tornado on record near Wasco was an F1 event on November 1, 1964, which carved a one-mile path with a maximum width of 50 yards and caused $275 in property damage. While tornadoes remain possible in California's Central Valley, the historical record demonstrates they occur infrequently in the Wasco area and have been relatively minor when they do develop.