Folsom, CA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Folsom, CA had?
Folsom has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Folsom?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Folsom was an EF0 on January 14, 2023.
When is tornado season in Folsom?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Folsom, with 6 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 Folsom
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 12 total, averaging 0.6 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 Folsom been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Folsom from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Folsom
About Tornadoes in Folsom
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.
Folsom, California has experienced 24 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike the traditional spring peak seen in many parts of the country, tornado activity near Folsom shows a distinct winter maximum, with February accounting for 6 events—the highest monthly total. This seasonal pattern reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that bring strong wind shear and atmospheric instability to Northern California during the wet season.
The vast majority of tornadoes in the Folsom area have been weak. Of the 24 recorded events, 18 were rated EF0, 5 were rated EF1, and only 1 reached EF2 intensity. No tornadoes on record in this area have resulted in fatalities. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which ranges from EF0 to EF5, estimates tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, with EF0 representing winds of 65-85 mph and EF1 representing winds of 86-110 mph.
Tornado activity near Folsom has increased in recent decades. The 1970s and 1990s each saw 2 tornadoes, while the 1980s recorded 3 events. Activity increased notably in the 2000s with 6 tornadoes, then rose further in the 2010s with 8 events. The current decade has recorded 3 tornadoes through 2023. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado 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 on record was an EF0 event on January 11, 2017, which reached 130 yards in width during its 0.4-mile track and caused $25,000 in damage.
The most recent tornado near Folsom touched down on January 14, 2023. This EF0 tornado traveled 0.3 miles with a maximum width of 50 yards, causing $25,000 in property damage and no injuries. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in this region compared to the Great Plains, the winter season warrants attention when strong Pacific storms move through Northern California.