Carmichael, CA Tornado History — 28 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Carmichael, CA had?
Carmichael has had 28 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Carmichael?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Carmichael was an EF0 on January 14, 2023.
When is tornado season in Carmichael?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Carmichael, with 7 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 Carmichael
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 15 total, averaging 0.8 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 Carmichael been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Carmichael from any of the 28 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Carmichael
About Tornadoes in Carmichael
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.
Carmichael, California, located in Sacramento County, has experienced 28 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the central United States where tornadoes peak during spring and early summer, the Sacramento Valley sees most of its tornado activity during the cool season, with February accounting for six events in the historical record—the highest monthly total for the area.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Carmichael have been weak, with 22 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (65-85 mph winds) to EF5 (over 200 mph winds). Five tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one has been rated EF2. Notably, no tornadoes in the area have resulted in fatalities since record-keeping began. This pattern reflects the generally weaker nature of West Coast tornadoes, which typically form from different atmospheric conditions than their Great Plains counterparts.
Tornado frequency in the region has increased in recent decades, though this likely reflects improved detection and reporting rather than a fundamental climate shift. The 1970s and 1990s each recorded just two tornadoes, while the 2010s saw ten events. The costliest tornado on record occurred on December 24, 2015, when an EF1 tornado carved a 6.2-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards, causing $1 million in property damage. This same event holds the record as the longest-tracked tornado in the area.
The widest tornado near Carmichael touched down on November 8, 2022, reaching 400 yards across despite being rated only EF0 and causing no reported property damage along its 0.8-mile path. Most recently, an EF0 tornado struck on January 14, 2023, traveling 0.3 miles with a 50-yard width and causing $25,000 in damage. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in Northern California compared to other regions of the country, these events demonstrate that the Sacramento Valley does experience periodic tornado activity, particularly during the winter months when atmospheric conditions occasionally become favorable for their formation.