South Lake Tahoe, CA Tornado History — 5 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South Lake Tahoe, CA had?
South Lake Tahoe has had 5 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South Lake Tahoe?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South Lake Tahoe was an EF0 on September 21, 2017.
When is tornado season in South Lake Tahoe?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South Lake Tahoe, with 2 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 South Lake Tahoe
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 total, averaging 0.1 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 South Lake Tahoe been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South Lake Tahoe from any of the 5 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South Lake Tahoe
About Tornadoes in South Lake Tahoe
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.
South Lake Tahoe, California, situated in the Sierra Nevada at an elevation exceeding 6,200 feet, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than most of the United States. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, only five tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of the city since modern record-keeping began in 1950. All five events were rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph—the weakest classification for tornadoes.
The recorded tornadoes have occurred exclusively in recent decades, with two touching down during the 2000s and three in the 2010s. September has been the most active month, accounting for two of the five events, though tornadoes have also occurred during the summer months. The longest-tracked tornado on record carved a 2.7-mile path on July 9, 2015, with a maximum width of just 10 yards. The widest tornado, which occurred on September 13, 2017, reached 50 yards across while traveling 2.0 miles. The most recent event took place on September 21, 2017, following a brief 0.4-mile path with a maximum width of 20 yards.
None of the tornadoes recorded near South Lake Tahoe have resulted in fatalities, and none have official property damage estimates on record. This pattern reflects both the weak intensity of the events and the mountainous terrain surrounding the area, which typically disrupts the atmospheric conditions necessary for significant tornado development. While tornadoes can theoretically form anywhere given the right meteorological setup—including combinations of wind shear, instability, and moisture—the high-elevation environment of the Lake Tahoe basin makes such occurrences uncommon.
The rarity of tornadoes in this region stands in stark contrast to the Great Plains and Southeast, where warm, moist air masses frequently collide with dry air and strong jet stream winds to create prolific tornado activity. Mountain communities like South Lake Tahoe benefit from topography that generally inhibits the organized supercell thunderstorms responsible for most tornadoes nationwide.