Tornado Alerts Near Chico, CA 95973

🌪️ Current Alert Status

Live NWS tornado and severe weather alerts

✅

All Clear

No active tornado alerts near Chico

There are currently no tornado warnings, watches, or severe thunderstorm alerts in effect for the Chico area. This page updates every 60 seconds from the National Weather Service.

Historical Tornado Risk

Activity level Moderate

Average per year 1 tornados

Peak season month March

Total on record 48 tornados

📋 Tornado History

Historical tornado events within 250 miles of Chico

EF Rating	Damage	Path	Casualties	Distance	Date
EF0	Light damage	0.8 mi × 50 yd	None	34 mi	Jan 3, 2025
EF1	Moderate damage	0.4 mi × 90 yd	None	5 mi	Dec 19, 2023
EF0	Light damage	2 mi × 50 yd	None	16 mi	Apr 25, 2021
EF0	Light damage	2.7 mi × 3 yd	None	10 mi	Jan 4, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.8 mi × 3 yd	None	26 mi	Jan 4, 2021
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 3 yd	None	22 mi	Nov 18, 2020
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	58 mi	Feb 2, 2019
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 20 yd	None	38 mi	Feb 2, 2019
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 30 yd	None	61 mi	Mar 21, 2018
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	7 mi	Mar 29, 2014
EF1	Moderate damage	0.6 mi × 50 yd	None	26 mi	Mar 26, 2014
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 50 yd	None	25 mi	Mar 26, 2014
EF1	Moderate damage	0.7 mi × 50 yd	None	24 mi	Mar 26, 2014
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 10 yd	None	15 mi	Mar 25, 2014
EF0	Light damage	0.8 mi × 50 yd	None	27 mi	Apr 4, 2013
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 50 yd	None	49 mi	Feb 19, 2013
EF0	Light damage	0.5 mi × 50 yd	None	19 mi	Feb 19, 2013
EF1	Moderate damage	4 mi × 100 yd	None	71 mi	Oct 22, 2012
EF0	Light damage	0.4 mi × 50 yd	None	49 mi	Oct 22, 2012
EF1	Moderate damage	0.3 mi × 100 yd	None	58 mi	Oct 22, 2012
EF1	Moderate damage	2 mi × 100 yd	None	58 mi	Oct 22, 2012
EF0	Light damage	5.1 mi × 10 yd	None	49 mi	Jun 1, 2011
EF2	Considerable damage	0.2 mi × 10 yd	None	23 mi	May 25, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	26.4 mi × 120 yd	None	31 mi	May 25, 2011
EF1	Moderate damage	21.7 mi × 120 yd	None	24 mi	May 25, 2011
EF0	Light damage	1.1 mi × 10 yd	None	54 mi	Mar 23, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 10 yd	None	46 mi	Mar 21, 2011
EF0	Light damage	0.3 mi × 20 yd	None	39 mi	Mar 8, 2010
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 40 yd	None	37 mi	Jan 24, 2009
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 6 yd	None	26 mi	Jun 6, 2005
EF0	Light damage	1 mi × 0 yd	None	55 mi	May 9, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 0 yd	None	18 mi	Apr 8, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 0 yd	None	53 mi	Mar 29, 2005
EF1	Moderate damage	0.1 mi × 0 yd	None	33 mi	Jan 8, 2005
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 0 yd	None	27 mi	Jul 5, 2000
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 10 yd	None	27 mi	May 16, 1998
EF0	Light damage	0.1 mi × 25 yd	None	10 mi	Apr 17, 1993
EF1	Moderate damage	5 mi × 23 yd	None	46 mi	Dec 17, 1992
EF1	Moderate damage	1 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 4 hurt	29 mi	Dec 17, 1992
EF0	Light damage	0.2 mi × 70 yd	None	29 mi	Mar 14, 1987
EF2	Considerable damage	2 mi × 100 yd	0 dead, 1 hurt	11 mi	Sep 24, 1986
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	11 mi	Jan 22, 1981
EF2	Considerable damage	0.1 mi × 3 yd	None	26 mi	May 9, 1980
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	14 mi	Mar 23, 1978
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	35 mi	Mar 5, 1978
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	19 mi	Mar 5, 1978
EF0	Light damage	N/A	None	30 mi	Mar 5, 1978
EF0	Light damage	1.5 mi × 53 yd	None	5 mi	Mar 4, 1978

📈 Historical Trends

Tornado activity near Chico over 22 years

48

Total tornados on record

1

Average per year

EF2

Strongest recorded

Mar

Peak month

EF Scale Distribution

EF0

33

EF1

12

EF2

3

EF3

0

EF4

0

EF5

0

Yearly Tornado Count

1978 2025

Strongest Tornados on Record

EF2 TEHAMA, CA Sep 24, 1986

2 mi path 1 injured

EF2 BUTTE, CA May 25, 2011

0.2 mi path

EF2 TEHAMA, CA May 9, 1980

0.1 mi path

EF1 GLENN, CA May 25, 2011

26.4 mi path

EF1 GLENN, CA May 25, 2011

21.7 mi path

📅 Tornado Season

When tornados are most likely near you

⚡

Active Tornado Season

Tornado season is active. Chico sees the most tornado activity in Mar. Stay alert and have your shelter plan ready.

US Tornado Activity by Month

Jan

2%

Feb

3%

PEAK

Mar

7%

Apr

10%

May

18%

Jun

16%

Jul

12%

Aug

9%

Sep

7%

Oct

6%

Nov

5%

Dec

3%

Current month Peak for Chico

🛡️ Tornado Safety

What to know before, during, and after a tornado

⚠️ Tornado Watch

Meaning: Conditions are favorable for tornado development

Be prepared to take shelter. Stay alert for changing conditions.

🌪️ Tornado Warning

Meaning: A tornado has been spotted or detected on radar

TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY in your nearest safe shelter.

⚠️ Step 1

Tornado Watch — Be Prepared

Conditions are favorable for tornados. Monitor weather alerts, charge your phone, and review your shelter plan. Move vehicles into garages if possible.

🌪️ Step 2

Tornado Warning — Take Cover NOW

A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Move immediately to an interior room on the lowest floor (basement, bathroom, closet). Get under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.

🔍 Step 3

After a Tornado

Stay in your shelter until the warning expires. Check for injuries, avoid downed power lines, and watch for gas leaks. Document damage for insurance before cleanup.

Where to Shelter

✓ Best: Underground shelter or basement

✓ Good: Interior room on lowest floor

✓ Acceptable: Bathroom or closet (no exterior walls)

✓ If driving: Pull over, get below road level in a ditch

✗ NEVER: Stay in a mobile home — leave for sturdy building

✗ NEVER: Shelter under a highway overpass

📍 Nearby Tornado Monitoring

Cities near Chico with live tracking