Sacramento, CA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Sacramento, CA had?
Sacramento has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Sacramento?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Sacramento was an EF0 on November 8, 2022.
When is tornado season in Sacramento?
February is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Sacramento, 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 Sacramento
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 11 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 Sacramento been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Sacramento from any of the 24 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Sacramento
About Tornadoes in Sacramento
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.
Sacramento, California has experienced 24 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. While tornadoes are relatively uncommon in California compared to the central United States, Sacramento's location in the Central Valley does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the cool season when atmospheric conditions can support rotating thunderstorms.
The vast majority of Sacramento-area tornadoes have been weak, with 19 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Four tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only one has been rated EF2. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities. Tornado activity has increased in recent decades, with just two events in the 1970s and two in the 1990s, compared to nine in the 2010s and six in the 2000s.
February stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence in the Sacramento area, with six events recorded during that month. This winter peak reflects the region's Mediterranean climate pattern, where most precipitation and severe weather occurs during the cooler months when Pacific storm systems move through California. The most recent tornado occurred on November 8, 2022, an EF0 event with a path length of 0.8 miles and a maximum width of 400 yards that caused no damage or injuries.
The costliest tornado on record struck on December 24, 2015, an EF1-rated event that caused $1,000,000 in property damage. This tornado also holds the record as the longest-tracked in the area, with a path length of 6.2 miles and a maximum width of 100 yards. The widest tornado recorded was the November 2022 EF0, which reached 400 yards across at its maximum extent.