Forest Grove, OR Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Forest Grove, OR had?
Forest Grove has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Forest Grove?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Forest Grove was an EF0 on September 8, 2019.
When is tornado season in Forest Grove?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Forest Grove, with 3 on record. Spring through early summer (April–June) generally sees the highest activity across most of the central and southern United States.
At a Glance
Recent Tornado Activity Near Forest Grove
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 7 total, averaging 0.3 per year over this window.
Tornadoes by Decade
Tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita Rating
F0–F5 ratings (pre-2007) are grouped with their EF equivalents. The Enhanced Fujita scale replaced the original Fujita scale in February 2007.
Tornadoes by Month
Casualties on Record Near Forest Grove
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Forest Grove since 1950, across 1 event. 300 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on April 5, 1972, which caused 6 fatalities along a 8.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Forest Grove
About Tornadoes in Forest Grove
This overview was written April 23, 2026. The tornado counts and notable-event figures elsewhere on this page reflect the latest data and may differ from this summary.
Forest Grove, Oregon has experienced 16 documented tornadoes within 25 miles since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively modest total reflects the Pacific Northwest's generally lower tornado frequency compared to the central United States, though the region is not immune to these severe weather events. The majority of recorded tornadoes have been weak, with 10 rated EF0 and 4 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also seen two stronger tornadoes: one EF2 and one EF3.
The most significant tornado in the Forest Grove area occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado carved an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards. This event tragically claimed 6 lives and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. The F3 rating indicates estimated wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph, capable of causing severe structural damage to well-built homes and tossing vehicles considerable distances.
Tornado activity near Forest Grove has increased in recent decades, with 6 tornadoes recorded in the 2010s alone—more than any other decade in the historical record. By comparison, the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s each saw between 1 and 3 events, while the 2000s recorded 2 tornadoes. June has been the most active month with 4 documented tornadoes, though the region has seen touchdowns in various months including the winter season. The most recent tornado, an EF0 rated event, occurred on September 9, 2019, traveling just 0.1 miles with a maximum width of 120 yards and causing $8,000 in property damage.
The longest-tracked tornado in the area's history was an EF1 that traveled 10.1 miles on January 10, 2008, also recording the widest path at 440 yards. This event caused $525,000 in property damage but resulted in no fatalities, illustrating that even relatively long-lived tornadoes can occur without loss of life when they affect less populated areas or when adequate warning allows residents to take shelter.