Salida, CA – A rare EF-0 tornado touched down Tuesday just outside Salida in Stanislaus County, briefly tearing through orchards and causing minor structural damage across three properties.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, the tornado formed around 2:13 p.m. and remained on the ground for about two minutes, traveling 0.9 miles with peak winds estimated at 76 mph. The storm’s narrow path, about 70 yards wide, carved through orchards roughly 2 miles east-northeast of Salida, uprooting dozens of almond trees and breaking large tree branches.
Minor structural damage was also reported, including a covered patio and roof material ripped off, an outbuilding impacted, a broken window, and metal fencing displaced. A large trailer was lifted and moved approximately 20 feet, officials confirmed.
The NWS noted that while a storm cell with weak rotation was detected on radar, no tornado warning was issued due to the limited duration and low-intensity nature of the system. The damage assessment was conducted in partnership with the Stanislaus County Office of Emergency Services.
Tornadoes are uncommon in California, which averages about nine per year, typically ranging from EF-U to EF-1. Most occur in the Central Valley. The last tornado confirmed in the National Weather Service Sacramento region occurred on January 3 in Tehama County.
No injuries or fatalities were reported in Tuesday’s event.
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