Orangevale, CA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Orangevale, CA had?
Orangevale has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Orangevale?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orangevale was an EF0 on November 8, 2022.
When is tornado season in Orangevale?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orangevale, 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 Orangevale
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 Orangevale been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Orangevale from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Orangevale
About Tornadoes in Orangevale
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.
Orangevale, California has experienced 24 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike the traditional spring peak seen in much of the central United States, tornado activity near Orangevale shows a distinct winter maximum, with February accounting for 6 events—the most of any month. This pattern reflects the influence of Pacific storm systems that can produce brief, weak tornadoes when atmospheric conditions align during the wet season.
The vast majority of tornadoes in the area have been weak, with 18 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. Five tornadoes reached EF1 strength, and only one attained EF2 intensity. Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities. 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.
Tornado frequency in the region has increased in recent decades, though this likely reflects improved detection and reporting rather than a fundamental change in atmospheric patterns. The 1970s and 1990s each recorded 2 tornadoes, while the 1980s saw 3 events. Activity increased notably in the 2000s with 6 tornadoes, and the 2010s recorded 8 events—the most active decade on record. The current decade has already seen 3 tornadoes through 2022.
The most recent tornado touched down on November 8, 2022, rated EF0 with a path length of 0.8 miles. While it caused no property damage or injuries, it was the widest tornado on record for the area at 400 yards across. The widest tornado does not always correspond to the strongest or most damaging, as local terrain, building density, and construction quality all influence the extent of destruction during these brief but notable weather events.