Washington State is not typically associated with the powerful, frequent tornadoes that affect the central United States. The state’s unique geography and prevailing weather systems mitigate the conditions necessary for destructive twisters. While the risk is low, confirmed tornadoes do occur.
Details of the Most Recent Confirmed Event
The most recent confirmed tornadoes in Washington State occurred on the evening of May 6, 2022, in the Spokane area. The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed two separate, weak tornadoes touched down during a storm system moving through Eastern Washington. Both were classified as EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, the weakest classification, with estimated wind speeds between 65 and 85 miles per hour.
The first tornado touched down northeast of Airway Heights at approximately 7:03 p.m., causing minor damage to trees and power lines along its short path. Just 17 minutes later, a second EF0 tornado formed near Interstate 90, between Freya and the Dishman Hills recreational area. This second twister caused more noticeable damage, including uprooted trees and a few overturned trailers in a mobile home park.
Multiple emergency crews, including the Spokane Valley Fire Department, responded to reports of downed trees and damaged structures in the area. Local residents captured video of the funnels forming, confirming the rotation indicated on Doppler radar. Despite the overturned trailers and fallen trees on homes, there were no reported injuries or fatalities from either of the brief tornadoes.
Tornado Frequency and Seasonal Patterns in Washington
Washington State experiences a low rate of tornadic activity, averaging only about two to three confirmed tornadoes per year. This places the state among the bottom ten in the nation for annual tornado count. The vast majority of these events are classified as EF0 or EF1, meaning they are relatively weak and short-lived.
The state’s proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountain Range disrupt the atmospheric ingredients needed for strong tornado formation. Pacific air masses tend to be cooler and less humid, preventing the buildup of the warm, moist, unstable air characteristic of severe thunderstorms. The mountain ranges also act as a barrier, limiting the deep moisture and strong wind shear that fuel powerful rotating storms.
Unlike the late spring and early summer peak in the central U.S., tornadoes in Washington are most likely to occur during the milder months of April, May, and June. The state’s environment allows for tornadoes to form at any time of year, including rare winter events. Most Washington tornadoes are shallow and dissipate quickly due to the challenging terrain and lack of sustained instability.
Significant Historical Tornadoes in the State
While rare, Washington has experienced tornadoes of significant intensity that caused destruction and loss of life. The most destructive storm in state history struck Vancouver on April 5, 1972. This tornado was rated an F3 on the original Fujita scale, with a path of destruction that included parts of the metropolitan area.
The powerful twister demolished Peter Skene Ogden Elementary School, severely damaged a bowling alley, and destroyed hundreds of structures. This event resulted in six fatalities and injured over 300 people, causing property damage that exceeded $5 million at the time. The 1972 Vancouver tornado remains the deadliest on record in Washington State.
Another notable event occurred on December 12, 1969, when a long-tracked F3 tornado moved through the Seattle metropolitan area. This powerful storm caused extensive damage, particularly in the White Center neighborhood, demonstrating that the densely populated Puget Sound region is not immune to severe tornadic activity. The occurrence of these stronger, F3-rated storms underscores the potential for rare but highly impactful weather events in the Pacific Northwest.