Rocklin, CA Tornado History — 22 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Rocklin, CA had?
Rocklin has had 22 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Rocklin?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Rocklin was an EF0 on November 18, 2020.
When is tornado season in Rocklin?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Rocklin, with 5 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 Rocklin
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 10 total, averaging 0.5 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 Rocklin been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Rocklin from any of the 22 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Rocklin
About Tornadoes in Rocklin
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.
Rocklin, California, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills east of Sacramento, has experienced 22 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the Great Plains states where tornadoes are most common during spring and early summer, the Rocklin area sees peak tornado activity in February, with 5 events recorded during that month. This winter-season pattern reflects California's wet season, when Pacific storm systems can occasionally produce the atmospheric conditions necessary for tornado formation.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Rocklin have been weak, with 16 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). An additional 5 tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only 1 achieved EF2 status. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record in the area 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. The widest tornado on record was an EF0 event on January 11, 2017, which reached 130 yards across during its 0.4-mile track and caused $25,000 in damage.
Tornado activity in the region has increased in recent decades, with 9 tornadoes documented during the 2010s compared to just 2 in the 1970s and 2 in the 1990s. The 2000s saw 5 events, while the 1980s recorded 3. The most recent tornado touched down on November 18, 2020, traveling 4.4 miles as an EF0 with a maximum width of just 2 yards and causing no reported damage. While tornadoes remain relatively rare events in the Rocklin area compared to regions of the central United States, residents should remain aware that they can occur, particularly during the winter months when atmospheric conditions align.