Sonoma County, California tornadoes

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13confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: March 18, 2011, 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 Sonoma County

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The record

At a glance

Total131950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthDecember6 of 13
StrongestF2Jun 1, 1958
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 Sonoma County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

60 Jan: 1Feb: 3Mar: 1Apr: 0May: 0Jun: 1Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 6JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

December is the peak month, with 6 of 13 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 2: 0: 06 AM: 1: 2: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 13 PM: 0: 0: 06 PM: 0: 3: 19 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 7:00 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: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
2
EF1
10
EF2
1

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, June 1, 1958

15 mile path Longest path

15 miles, F2

June 1, 1958, whole path Widest

150 yards, F1

December 5, 1998
Every tornado

All 13 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 18, 2011EF10.1 mi100 yd00
Jan 27, 2005F10.5 mi25 yd00
Dec 29, 2004F00.2 mi3 yd00
Dec 5, 1998F11.5 mi150 yd00
Dec 23, 1996F00.3 mi20 yd01
Feb 22, 1996F11 mi50 yd00
Dec 2, 1992F17.5 mi100 yd00
Dec 2, 1992F11 mi23 yd00
Dec 2, 1992F13 mi23 yd00
Feb 27, 1983F10.8 mi100 yd00
Nov 10, 1964F11 mi30 yd00
Feb 17, 1959F10.5 mi50 yd00
Jun 1, 1958F215 mi50 yd00
Cities

Cities in Sonoma 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.