Salem, OR Tornado History — 20 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Salem, OR had?
Salem has had 20 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Salem?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Salem was an EF0 on October 24, 2022.
When is tornado season in Salem?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Salem, with 5 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 Salem
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 5 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
Have any tornadoes near Salem been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Salem from any of the 20 tornadoes since 1950, though 2 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Salem
About Tornadoes in Salem
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.
Salem, Oregon has experienced 20 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring and early summer, Salem's tornado activity shows a distinct pattern, with October recording the most events at five tornadoes. This seasonal difference reflects the Pacific Northwest's unique weather patterns, where fall and winter storm systems moving inland from the ocean can occasionally produce tornadoes.
The majority of Salem-area tornadoes have been relatively weak, with 14 rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). Four tornadoes reached EF1 intensity, and only two have been rated EF2. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event occurred on December 9, 1993, when an F2 tornado carved a 6.0-mile path with a maximum width of 120 yards, causing $2.75 million in property damage. The widest tornado on record was an EF2 that struck on December 15, 2010, reaching 150 yards across during its 5.0-mile track and causing $1.2 million in damage.
Tornado frequency in the Salem area has varied considerably by decade. The 1990s saw the highest activity with nine tornadoes, while the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s each recorded only a single event. The 2000s brought three tornadoes, and the 2010s saw four. The most recent tornado touched down on October 24, 2022, an EF0 event with a maximum width of just 17 yards that caused $25,000 in property damage.
While tornadoes are far less common in western Oregon than in the Great Plains, Salem's record demonstrates that the phenomenon does occur in the region, particularly during the fall and winter months when atmospheric conditions occasionally align to produce rotating storms.