Fair Oaks, CA Tornado History — 26 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Fair Oaks, CA had?
Fair Oaks has had 26 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Fair Oaks?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Fair Oaks was an EF0 on January 14, 2023.
When is tornado season in Fair Oaks?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Fair Oaks, 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 Fair Oaks
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 14 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 Fair Oaks been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Fair Oaks from any of the 26 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Fair Oaks
About Tornadoes in Fair Oaks
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.
Fair Oaks, California has experienced 26 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the tornado-prone regions of the central and southeastern United States, northern California sees relatively weak tornadoes that occur primarily during the cool season when Pacific storm systems bring unstable air masses into the region.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Fair Oaks have been rated EF0, accounting for 20 of the 26 recorded events, with 5 rated EF1 and only 1 reaching EF2 intensity. February has been the peak month for tornado activity with 6 events, reflecting the influence of winter storm patterns rather than the spring and early summer peak typical of the Great Plains. No tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities.
Tornado frequency has increased in recent decades, with 9 tornadoes recorded in the 2010s compared to just 2 in the 1970s and 2 in the 1990s. The 2000s saw 6 events, while 4 have occurred in the 2020s thus far. This uptick may reflect improved detection and reporting methods, including widespread use of mobile devices and social media, rather than a fundamental change in atmospheric conditions.
The costliest and longest-tracked 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 $1,000,000 in property damage but no injuries. The widest tornado, an EF0 rated event on November 8, 2022, reached 400 yards across during its 0.8-mile track but caused no reported damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on January 14, 2023, traveling 0.3 miles and causing $25,000 in damage.