Merced County, California tornadoes

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17confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1955). Most recent: February 9, 2009, EF0. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Merced County

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The record

At a glance

Total171950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthMarch5 of 17
StrongestF1Apr 22, 1967
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries1whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

March is the peak month, with 5 of 17 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 1: 33 PM: 2: 4: 36 PM: 0: 2: 19 PM: 0: 0: 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: 1: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 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. This year so far: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
13
EF1
4

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

F1, April 22, 1967

1 mile path Longest path

3 miles, F0

November 13, 1997, whole path Widest

880 yards, F1

March 4, 1978
Every tornado

All 17 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Feb 9, 2009EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 28, 2006F00.1 mi20 yd00
Mar 28, 2006F00.2 mi30 yd00
Mar 28, 2006F00.2 mi20 yd00
Apr 8, 2005F01.2 mi50 yd00
Dec 16, 2002F01 mi45 yd00
Dec 16, 2002F11.3 mi45 yd00
Feb 14, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Nov 13, 1997F03 mi10 yd00
Nov 22, 1996F10.2 mi10 yd00
Apr 1, 1996F00.5 mi10 yd00
Mar 26, 1991F00.1 mi10 yd00
Feb 19, 1986F00.2 mi10 yd00
Mar 4, 1978F11 mi880 yd01
Apr 5, 1975F00.3 mi10 yd00
Apr 22, 1967F11 mi10 yd00
Apr 18, 1955F00.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 21, 20263 WSW AtwaterNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

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.