South Yuba City, CA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South Yuba City, CA had?
South Yuba City has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South Yuba City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South Yuba City was an EF0 on February 2, 2019.
When is tornado season in South Yuba City?
January is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South Yuba City, with 3 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 Yuba City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 8 total, averaging 0.4 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 Yuba City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South Yuba City from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South Yuba City
About Tornadoes in South Yuba City
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 Yuba City, California has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's position in California's Central Valley, where tornado formation is less common than in the nation's central plains. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation, with EF0 representing wind speeds of 65–85 mph and EF1 representing 86–110 mph.
The distribution of events shows notable clustering in recent decades. While only one tornado was recorded in the 1970s and three in the 1990s, activity increased to three events in the 2000s and eight in the 2010s. Of the 15 total tornadoes, nine were rated EF0 and six were rated EF1. January stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the area, with three recorded events, a pattern that differs from the spring and early summer peak typical of many other regions of the United States.
The costliest tornado on record occurred on January 8, 1993, when an F1 tornado caused $27,500 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 10 yards. The widest tornado reached 100 yards across on October 22, 2012, traveling 0.3 miles as an EF1 with no reported property damage. The longest-track tornado was an EF0 event on June 2, 2011, which covered 5.1 miles with a narrow 10-yard width and caused no damage. Most recently, an EF0 tornado touched down on February 3, 2019, producing $5,000 in property damage along a 0.3-mile path.
Significantly, none of the tornadoes recorded near South Yuba City have resulted in fatalities. This safety record, combined with the generally weak intensity of local tornadoes, reflects both the lower-end strength of Central Valley tornado events and the relatively short path lengths that limit exposure to populated areas.