Elk Grove, CA Tornado History — 32 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Elk Grove, CA had?
Elk Grove has had 32 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Elk Grove?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Elk Grove was an EF0 on January 14, 2023.
When is tornado season in Elk Grove?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Elk Grove, with 9 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 Elk Grove
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 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 Elk Grove been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Elk Grove from any of the 32 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Elk Grove
About Tornadoes in Elk Grove
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.
Elk Grove, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 32 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are less common in California than in the Great Plains, the region's geography and occasional atmospheric instability can produce these events, particularly during the cooler months when storm systems move through the state.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Elk Grove have been weak, with 24 rated EF0 and 6 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Only one EF2 tornado has been recorded in the area, and one event remains unrated. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities. Tornado activity has gradually increased over the decades, with 2 events in the 1970s, 6 each in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, rising to 8 in the 2010s, and 4 recorded so far in the 2020s.
April stands out as the peak month for tornado activity, accounting for 9 of the 32 events. This aligns with the spring season when temperature contrasts and atmospheric dynamics favor severe weather development across California. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on December 24, 2015, an EF1 event that carved a 6.2-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards and caused $1,000,000 in property damage. The widest tornado on record was an EF0 that touched down on November 8, 2022, reaching 400 yards in width over a 0.8-mile path but causing no reported damage.
The most recent tornado struck on January 14, 2023, an EF0 event with a 50-yard width and 0.3-mile path that caused $25,000 in property damage. While tornadoes remain relatively infrequent in the Elk Grove area compared to regions with more consistent severe weather, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of tornado safety procedures, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions are most conducive to their formation.