Carson City, NV Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Carson City, NV had?
Carson City has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Carson City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Carson City was an EF0 on September 21, 2017.
When is tornado season in Carson City?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Carson City, 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 Carson City
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 Carson City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Carson City from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Carson City
About Tornadoes in Carson 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.
Carson City, Nevada, sits in a region not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, yet the area has recorded six tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center data. All six events have been rated EF0, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation. EF0 tornadoes produce winds of 65 to 85 mph and typically cause light damage such as broken tree branches and minor roof shingle loss.
Tornado activity near Carson City has been concentrated in recent decades, with one event in the 1990s, two in the 2000s, and three in the 2010s. This uptick may reflect improved detection technology and expanded radar coverage rather than a fundamental shift in atmospheric patterns. The peak month for tornadoes in the area is September, which has seen two events, including the most recent tornado on September 21, 2017. That EF0 tornado traveled 0.4 miles with a maximum width of 20 yards and caused no fatalities or property damage.
The longest-tracked tornado on record occurred on July 9, 2015, when an EF0 traveled 2.7 miles with a narrow 10-yard width. The widest tornado, reaching 50 yards across, touched down on September 13, 2017, and covered a 2.0-mile path. Neither event resulted in fatalities or recorded property damage. In fact, none of the six tornadoes documented near Carson City have produced fatalities, and no damage data has been recorded for any of these events.
The relatively modest tornado history reflects Nevada's position outside the primary tornado corridors of the central and southeastern United States. While tornadoes can form anywhere given the right atmospheric conditions—typically when warm, moist air collides with cooler, drier air in the presence of wind shear—the desert climate and typical weather patterns of western Nevada provide fewer opportunities for the severe thunderstorms that spawn tornadoes. Residents should remain aware that tornadoes, though infrequent and generally weak in this area, can still occur and warrant attention to weather warnings when conditions are favorable.