Tulare County, California tornadoes

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14confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1980). Most recent: March 22, 2018, 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 Tulare County

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The record

At a glance

Total141950 to 2025
Per year0.2average since 1950
Peak monthFebruary4 of 14
StrongestF2Apr 5, 1980
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries2whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

40 Jan: 2Feb: 4Mar: 2Apr: 2May: 1Jun: 0Jul: 1Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 1Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

February is the peak month, with 4 of 14 tornadoes.

By time of day

30 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 1: 23 PM: 1: 2: 36 PM: 1: 0: 29 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

20 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01990: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 02010: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 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
12
EF1
1
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, April 5, 1980

15 mile path Longest path

15 miles, F2

April 5, 1980, whole path Widest

100 yards, F0

February 15, 1986
Every tornado

All 14 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 22, 2018EF01.19 mi20 yd00
Nov 9, 2012EF00.27 mi30 yd00
Jan 27, 2008EF02.03 mi50 yd00
Oct 20, 2004F00.5 mi15 yd00
Jul 7, 2004F0n/a40 yd00
Jan 20, 1997F03 mi10 yd00
Apr 1, 1996F00.3 mi10 yd00
May 13, 1995F02.5 mi10 yd00
Feb 19, 1993F00.1 mi30 yd00
Feb 28, 1991F10.2 mi10 yd01
Mar 1, 1988F00.2 mi10 yd00
Feb 15, 1986F00.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 5, 1980F215 mi10 yd01
Feb 15, 1980F01 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 21, 2026Terra BellaNot 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.

Cities

Cities in Tulare 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.