Rio Linda, CA Tornado History — 25 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rio Linda, CA had?
Rio Linda has had 25 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rio Linda?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rio Linda was an EF0 on November 18, 2020.
When is tornado season in Rio Linda?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rio Linda, 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 Rio Linda
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 Rio Linda been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rio Linda from any of the 25 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rio Linda
About Tornadoes in Rio Linda
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.
Rio Linda, California, and the surrounding 25-mile area have experienced 25 documented tornadoes since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the traditional spring tornado season observed across much of the central United States, tornado activity in this region peaks in February, which has recorded 6 events. This winter concentration reflects California's unique meteorological patterns, where tornadoes typically develop in association with strong Pacific storm systems moving through the Central Valley during the wet season.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Rio Linda have been weak, with 20 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (winds 65-85 mph) to EF5 (winds over 200 mph). Four tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one attained EF2 strength. Notably, no tornadoes in this area have resulted in fatalities since records began in 1950. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on December 24, 2015, when an EF1 event traveled 6.2 miles 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, with 10 tornadoes documented during the 2010s compared to just 2 in the 1970s and 2 in the 1990s. The 2000s saw 6 events, while the 1980s recorded 4. The widest tornado on record was an EF0 that touched down on January 11, 2017, reaching a maximum width of 130 yards despite traveling only 0.4 miles and causing $25,000 in damage. The most recent tornado occurred on November 18, 2020, when an EF0 with a remarkably narrow 2-yard width traveled 4.4 miles without causing any reported property damage.