Ashland, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Ashland, CA had?
Ashland has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Ashland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Ashland was an EF1 on January 23, 2010.
When is tornado season in Ashland?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Ashland, 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 Ashland
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 Ashland been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Ashland from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 3 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Ashland
About Tornadoes in Ashland
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.
Ashland, California has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike the spring-dominated tornado seasons common in the central United States, the area's peak tornado activity occurs in January, which has recorded three events. This winter concentration reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can occasionally produce tornadoes when atmospheric conditions align.
The majority of tornadoes in the Ashland area have been relatively weak, with eight rated EF0 and five rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Two tornadoes reached EF2 strength, capable of causing considerable damage to structures. Notably, no tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on January 11, 1951, when an F2 tornado carved a 5.7-mile path with a maximum width of just 10 yards, causing $2.75 million in property damage.
Tornado activity in the region has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest concentration with seven tornadoes, while the 1980s recorded four events and the 1950s documented two. Both the 2000s and 2010s saw minimal activity with only one tornado each decade. The most recent tornado touched down on January 23, 2010, as an EF1 event that traveled 1.6 miles with a narrow 2-yard width and caused $25,000 in damage.
The widest tornado on record occurred on December 6, 1998, when an F0 tornado reached a maximum width of 150 yards over a 1.5-mile path, though it caused no reported property damage. The narrow width of most tornadoes in this area—including the 1951 event's mere 10-yard maximum—suggests that while tornadoes do occur, they typically affect limited geographic areas and cause localized rather than widespread damage.