Sparks, NV Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Sparks, NV had?
Sparks has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Sparks?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Sparks was an EF1 on August 15, 2020.
When is tornado season in Sparks?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Sparks, with 6 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 Sparks
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 Sparks been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Sparks from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Sparks
About Tornadoes in Sparks
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.
Since 1950, the Sparks, Nevada area has recorded 13 tornadoes within a 25-mile radius, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the region's location in the Great Basin, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support tornadic development compared to the central and southeastern United States. Most of these events have been weak, with nine rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, three rated EF1, and one remaining unrated in historical records.
Tornado activity in the Sparks area has been sporadic across the decades. The first recorded event occurred in the 1960s, followed by another in the 1970s. After a quiet period through the 1980s, two tornadoes touched down during the 1990s. The 2000s saw the highest concentration of activity with six tornadoes, while three events have been documented so far in the 2020s. Notably, none of these tornadoes have resulted in any recorded fatalities, and no damage cost data has been preserved in official records for any of the events.
August stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence near Sparks, accounting for six of the 13 total events. This late-summer timing aligns with the North American monsoon pattern, which can bring increased moisture and atmospheric instability to the region during July and August. The longest-tracked tornado on record was an unrated event on August 15, 2020, which traveled 3.2 miles with a maximum width of 156 yards. The widest tornado, an F0 that occurred on July 24, 2004, reached 200 yards in width but traveled only 0.1 miles. The most recent tornado, also on August 15, 2020, was rated EF1 and tracked for 0.4 miles with a maximum width of 137 yards.
The Enhanced Fujita scale, used since 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation. An EF0 tornado produces wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph, while an EF1 generates winds between 86 and 110 mph. The predominance of EF0 and EF1 ratings in the Sparks record indicates that tornadoes in this area have historically been brief and relatively weak events.