Chico, CA Tornado History — 28 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Chico, CA had?
Chico has had 28 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Chico?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Chico was an EF1 on December 19, 2023.
When is tornado season in Chico?
March is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Chico, with 8 on record. April through June account for 10 of the 28 tornadoes on record near Chico.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Chico
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 12 total, averaging 0.6 per year over this window.
Preliminary tornado reports near Chico since December 29, 2025
This is a preliminary report, not confirmed tornadoes. It has not yet been through an NWS damage survey, and is not counted in the confirmed totals above.
Preliminary reports are revised, merged, and sometimes withdrawn — historically about 23% are consolidated downward once surveys complete. Ratings are omitted until a survey assigns one.
Confirmed records above are complete through December 29, 2025. NOAA publishes the confirmed archive annually, so tornadoes after that date appear here first and move into the totals above once finalized.
At 2:05 PM... video and radar evidence confirmed that there was a brief touchdown of a tornado near Vina... CA. No damage was reported. The peak wind gusts... path widt (STO)
Within 25 miles of Chico. Quoted text is the report narrative exactly as filed. Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports, updated daily.
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 Chico been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Chico from any of the 28 tornadoes since 1950, though 7 injuries have been reported, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Chico
What the record shows near Chico
The 2010s were the busiest decade near Chico, with 8 of the 28 confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles; the 2020s have produced 4 so far. The Chico record runs from the 1950s to today.
Of the tornadoes rated near Chico, 24 reached EF0 or EF1 and 4 reached EF2 or stronger. The most intense on record near Chico is rated EF2, of which 4 are logged.
Across the last 20 years Chico has averaged 0.6 confirmed tornadoes a year within 25 miles, 12 in total. 2014 was the busiest of them with 5, and 15 of those years passed with none at all.