Butte County, California tornadoes

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18confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1970). Most recent: December 19, 2023, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Butte County

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The record

At a glance

Total181950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMarch5 of 18
StrongestF2Feb 10, 1994
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Butte County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

50 Jan: 3Feb: 1Mar: 5Apr: 3May: 2Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 2JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March is the peak month, with 5 of 18 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 1: 0: 012 PM: 0: 0: 03 PM: 2: 4: 16 PM: 2: 3: 39 PM: 1: 1: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 1: 2: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
9
EF1
7
EF2
2

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F2, February 10, 1994

0.3 mile path Longest path

2.3 miles, F1

June 28, 1970, whole path Widest

100 yards, F1

December 17, 1992
Every tornado

All 18 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Dec 19, 2023EF10.36 mi90 yd00
Nov 18, 2020EF00.47 mi3 yd00
Mar 29, 2014EF00.01 mi10 yd00
Mar 25, 2014EF00.26 mi10 yd00
May 25, 2011EF20.21 mi10 yd00
Apr 8, 2005F00.1 min/a00
Jan 8, 2005F10.1 min/a00
May 16, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 25, 1994F00.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 10, 1994F00.2 mi30 yd00
Feb 10, 1994F20.3 mi20 yd02
Apr 17, 1993F00.1 mi23 yd00
Jan 7, 1993F10.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 17, 1992F11 mi100 yd04
Jan 22, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 23, 1978F10.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 4, 1978F11.5 mi53 yd00
Jun 28, 1970F12.3 mi10 yd00
Cities

Cities in Butte County

Each city page counts every tornado path within 10 miles of the city, including paths just over the county line.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.