Rancho Cordova, CA Tornado History — 28 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rancho Cordova, CA had?
Rancho Cordova has had 28 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rancho Cordova?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rancho Cordova was an EF0 on January 14, 2023.
When is tornado season in Rancho Cordova?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 15 total, averaging 0.8 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 Rancho Cordova been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rancho Cordova from any of the 28 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rancho Cordova
About Tornadoes in Rancho Cordova
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.
Rancho Cordova, California has experienced 28 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the severe tornado activity common in the central United States, the tornadoes recorded near this Sacramento-area city have been predominantly weak, with 22 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, 5 rated EF1, and only 1 reaching EF2 intensity. Notably, none of these events have resulted in fatalities.
Tornado activity in the region has increased in recent decades, with 10 tornadoes occurring during the 2010s compared to just 2 in the 1970s and 2 in the 1990s. The 2000s saw 6 tornadoes, while 4 have been recorded in the 2020s thus far. This uptick may reflect improved detection technology and reporting practices rather than a fundamental shift in atmospheric patterns. February stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for 6 of the 28 total events—a pattern consistent with California's winter storm season when atmospheric dynamics can occasionally support rotating thunderstorms.
The costliest tornado on record struck on December 24, 2015, an EF1 event that caused $1,000,000 in property damage along a 6.2-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. This same tornado also holds the record as the longest-tracked in the area. The widest tornado, measuring 400 yards across, occurred on November 8, 2022, though it was rated EF0 and caused no reported property damage along its 0.8-mile path. The most recent tornado touched down on January 14, 2023, an EF0 event that traveled 0.3 miles with a 50-yard width and caused $25,000 in damage.
While tornadoes remain relatively rare events in the Rancho Cordova area compared to regions with more frequent severe convective weather, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and can cause property damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale, used to rate tornado intensity, ranges from EF0 (wind speeds 65-85 mph) through EF5 (over 200 mph), with the vast majority of local tornadoes falling at the lower end of this spectrum.