EF1 Tornado — Sutter, California

2012-10-22 · near Yuba City South, Sutter, California

Event narrative

The Yuba City Tornado: Supercells developed behind the cold front along a north-south boundary in the middle of the Central Valley, where both instability and shear were large. The Sutter County Sheriff and Fire Department reported a tornado at approximately 2pm (PST), which was the first reported tornado of the day. The NWS storm survey team determined a touchdown at Mallard Lake Golf Center along Highway 99 just south of Yuba City. The tornado traveled northeast toward Oswald and Barry Roads and north along Railroad Ave. Estimated wind speeds were up to 100mph. The tornado snapped several trees at the golf course, damaged 30-40 small walnut and peach trees in a nearby orchard, lifted shingles on multiple homes, damaged a car port, blew down several fences, damaged several businesses, and lifted an outbuilding off its foundation and turned it upside down.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system moved through northern California, bringing several feet of snow to the mountains, significant rainfall to the valley and foothills, and tornadic supercells in the valley.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.0621, -121.6300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 411507. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.