Ripon, CA Tornado History — 21 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Ripon, CA had?
Ripon has had 21 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Ripon?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Ripon was an EF0 on April 1, 2025.
When is tornado season in Ripon?
April is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Ripon, with 9 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 Ripon
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 total, averaging 0.3 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 Ripon been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Ripon from any of the 21 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Ripon
About Tornadoes in Ripon
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.
Ripon, California, located in the Central Valley, has experienced 21 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are far less common in California than in the Great Plains, the state does see occasional events, particularly during the spring months when atmospheric conditions can support severe thunderstorm development.
The tornado record for the Ripon area shows activity distributed across seven decades, with the 1970s, 2000s, and 2010s each recording four events. April stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for nine of the 21 documented tornadoes. This spring maximum aligns with typical patterns across much of the United States, when contrasting air masses and jet stream positioning create favorable conditions for rotating thunderstorms.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Ripon have been weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado intensity from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators. Fourteen tornadoes were rated EF0, six were rated EF1, and only one reached EF2 intensity. None of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities. The most significant event occurred on November 15, 2015, when an EF1 tornado tracked for 3.0 miles with a maximum width of 150 yards, causing $1,000,000 in property damage—making it simultaneously the costliest, widest, and longest-tracked tornado in the area's recorded history.
The most recent tornado near Ripon occurred on April 1, 2025, when an EF0 tornado with a path length of 0.9 miles and maximum width of 70 yards caused $20,000 in property damage. While tornado activity in the Central Valley remains relatively infrequent compared to other regions of the country, the historical record demonstrates that the area is not immune to these weather events, particularly during the spring season.