Battle Ground, WA Tornado History — 24 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Battle Ground, WA had?
Battle Ground has had 24 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Battle Ground?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Battle Ground was an EF0 on October 11, 2023.
When is tornado season in Battle Ground?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Battle Ground, with 4 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 Battle Ground
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 11 total, averaging 0.6 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 Battle Ground
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Battle Ground since 1950, across 1 event. 302 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 Battle Ground
About Tornadoes in Battle Ground
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.
Battle Ground, Washington, located in the Pacific Northwest, has experienced 24 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This tornado activity is notably different from the patterns seen in the central United States, where tornadoes are more frequent and typically occur during spring and early summer. In the Battle Ground area, September stands out as the peak month with 4 recorded events, reflecting the region's unique meteorological conditions influenced by Pacific weather systems.
The vast majority of tornadoes near Battle Ground have been relatively weak, with 17 rated EF0 and 6 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, one significant exception occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado struck the area, resulting in 6 fatalities and approximately $27.5 million in property damage. This tornado carved an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region.
Tornado frequency in the Battle Ground area has increased in recent decades, though this may partly reflect improvements in detection and reporting technology. The 1970s and 1980s each saw only 2 tornadoes, while the 1990s recorded 4 events. Activity increased further in the 2000s with 6 tornadoes and peaked in the 2010s with 7 events. The current decade has recorded 3 tornadoes through 2023, including an EF0 tornado on October 11, 2023, that traveled half a mile with a maximum width of 100 yards and caused no damage or injuries.
While most tornadoes in the area have been brief and narrow, some have produced notable dimensions. The longest-track tornado occurred on January 10, 2008, when an EF1 tornado traveled 10.1 miles and caused $525,000 in property damage. The widest tornado on record was an EF1 that reached 528 yards in width on December 10, 2015, causing $311,000 in damage along a 0.8-mile path. These winter tornadoes highlight the Pacific Northwest's tendency for tornado activity outside the traditional spring season common elsewhere in the country.