Davis, CA Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Davis, CA had?
Davis has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Davis?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Davis was an EF0 on September 28, 2019.
When is tornado season in Davis?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Davis, 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 Davis
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 9 total, averaging 0.5 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 Davis been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Davis from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Davis
About Tornadoes in Davis
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.
Davis, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 20 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the more tornado-prone regions of the Great Plains and Southeast, Davis sees relatively weak and infrequent tornadoes, with the vast majority rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Of the 20 recorded events, 17 were EF0, two were EF1, and only one reached EF2 intensity.
Tornado activity in the Davis area has increased in recent decades, though this likely reflects improved detection and reporting rather than a fundamental climate shift. The 1970s saw just one tornado, while the 1980s and 1990s each recorded two events. Activity increased notably in the 2000s with seven tornadoes, and the 2010s recorded eight. The most recent tornado occurred on September 29, 2019, an EF0 event with a 1.7-mile path and minimal width of just one yard that caused no damage or injuries.
February stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Davis, with six events recorded during that month. This winter peak is consistent with California's wet season, when atmospheric conditions occasionally support rotating thunderstorms. The costliest tornado on record was an F1 that struck on March 22, 1983, causing $275,000 in property damage along a two-mile path with a maximum width of 50 yards. The widest tornado, an EF0 on January 11, 2017, reached 130 yards across during its brief 0.4-mile track and caused $25,000 in damage. The longest-tracked tornado was an EF0 on March 27, 2014, which traveled four miles but caused no reported damage.
Notably, there have been no tornado-related fatalities on record within 25 miles of Davis since 1950. The relatively weak nature of Central Valley tornadoes, combined with the region's lower population density compared to urban centers, has contributed to this safety record. While tornadoes remain rare events in this part of California, the historical data demonstrates that they do occur and warrant awareness during the winter and early spring months when conditions are most favorable.