State history
Tornadoes in Washington
Washington averages 3 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 3 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: Spring-Summer.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
Notable events
- 1972 Vancouver F3 — 6 dead.
- 2018 Port Orchard EF2 — significant.
- Occasional weak events — annual.
Major cities
Seattle metro
4M. Very rare events.
Spokane
230k.
Tacoma
220k.
Vancouver
190k. 1972 legacy.
Bellingham
95k.
NWS coverage
NWS Seattle
Central-western WA.
NWS Portland OR
SW WA.
NWS Spokane
Eastern WA.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.