EF0 Tornado — Tehama, California

2021-01-04 · near Henleyville, Tehama, California

Event narrative

A possible tornado touchdown was reported by a member of the public in western Corning, with multiple trees knocked down, a barn and other buildings damaged, and a power pole knocked down. Calfire dispatched to the area for power line damage also observed downed trees around the intersection of Apple Rd and Simpson Rd. Tornado track, width, and timing estimated by radar and storm reports.

Wider weather episode

A trough from the Gulf of Alaska brought Valley rain, mountain snow, and thunderstorms to northern California. The system hit in two waves, the initial frontal passage followed the trough axis moving over northern California. Clearing behind the cold front allowed for a favorable thunderstorm environment to develop, which would eventually lead to two confirmed tornadoes for interior northern California. Snow levels with this system started around 5,000 and 6,500 feet and dropped down to 4,000 and 4,500 feet.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.9600, -122.3300)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 940315. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.