Brief Tornado Touches Down Near Vina, California

No damage reported as storm cell briefly spawns twister in remote grassland area.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, green, and blue, with a distant, faint tornado twister barely visible on the horizon, dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the stormy sky and windswept grassland.A brief tornado touchdown in a remote area serves as a reminder of the region's severe weather potential.Vina Today

The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado briefly touched down in a remote grassland area about 4 miles southeast of the town of Vina, California, on April 12, 2026. Radar data and video footage showed the tornado forming from a rotating storm cell, but there were no reports of any impacts or damage to homes, buildings, or other structures in the unpopulated area.

Why it matters

While tornado touchdowns are relatively rare in Northern California, the region does occasionally experience these types of brief, isolated twisters that form from severe thunderstorms. The NWS closely monitors these events to better understand the local tornado threat and improve early warning systems for residents.

The details

According to the NWS, the tornado touched down at around 2:05 PM PDT (21:05 UTC) in a remote grassland area southeast of Vina. Radar data and video footage from PG&E webcams and the public showed a rotating storm cell that briefly spawned the tornado, which remained on the ground for a short period before dissipating.

  • The tornado touched down at 2:05 PM PDT (21:05 UTC) on April 12, 2026.

The players

NWS Sacramento

The local office of the National Weather Service that monitors and reports on weather events in Northern California.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This brief tornado touchdown serves as a reminder that even isolated, unpopulated areas of Northern California can experience severe weather events. The NWS will continue to closely monitor the region's tornado threat and work to improve early warning systems for residents.