Gresham, OR Tornado History — 25 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Gresham, OR had?
Gresham has had 25 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Gresham?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Gresham was an EF0 on October 22, 2022.
When is tornado season in Gresham?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Gresham, with 9 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 Gresham
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 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 Gresham
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Gresham 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 Gresham
About Tornadoes in Gresham
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.
Gresham, Oregon has experienced 25 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While the Pacific Northwest is not typically associated with frequent tornado activity, the region does experience these events, predominantly at the weaker end of the intensity spectrum. Of the tornadoes recorded near Gresham, 18 were rated EF0, 6 were rated EF1, and only 1 reached EF3 intensity.
The temporal distribution shows a notable increase in recorded events in recent decades, with just one tornado documented in each of the first four decades from the 1950s through the 1980s. Activity increased to five tornadoes in both the 1990s and 2000s, then rose to eight in the 2010s. The current decade has recorded three tornadoes through 2022. This upward trend likely reflects improvements in detection technology and reporting practices rather than a fundamental change in atmospheric conditions.
Unlike much of the central United States where tornado season peaks in spring and early summer, the Gresham area shows a distinct October maximum, with 9 of the 25 tornadoes occurring in that month. This pattern aligns with the Pacific Northwest's seasonal weather dynamics, when the region experiences increased atmospheric instability as cooler air masses begin interacting with residual warmth from summer.
The most significant tornado event on record occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado carved an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards. This tornado resulted in 6 fatalities and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado in the area's recorded history. The longest-track tornado was an EF1 that traveled 10.1 miles on January 10, 2008, causing $525,000 in damage. The most recent tornado, rated EF0, touched down on October 23, 2022, traveling 0.9 miles and causing $50,000 in property damage.