Burien, WA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Burien, WA had?
Burien has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Burien?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Burien was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Burien?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Burien, 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 Burien
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 total, averaging 0.1 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 Burien been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Burien from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Burien
About Tornadoes in Burien
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.
Burien, Washington has experienced 13 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius 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 events. The tornadoes recorded near Burien have occurred sporadically across several decades, with the 1960s, 1990s, and 2000s each seeing three events, while the 1970s and 2010s each recorded two.
The majority of tornadoes in the Burien area have been weak to moderate in intensity. Seven have been rated EF1, causing light to moderate damage with winds between 86 and 110 mph, while four were rated EF0, the weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Only two tornadoes reached stronger intensities: one EF2 event and one EF3 event. The EF scale, implemented in 2007 to replace the original Fujita scale, estimates tornado intensity based on observed damage to structures and vegetation rather than direct wind measurements.
June stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Burien, with four events recorded during that month. This aligns with late spring and early summer patterns when atmospheric instability and wind shear can occasionally produce tornadic thunderstorms in the region. Notably, no tornadoes on record in the Burien area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest event was an EF2 tornado on December 18, 2018, which caused $1,180,000 in property damage along a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 285 yards. This December tornado also represents the most recent event on record.
The longest-tracked tornado near Burien was an EF1 that traveled 9.6 miles on September 6, 2009, causing $180,000 in damage with a maximum width of 170 yards. The widest tornado was an F1 event on June 28, 2001, which reached 400 yards across during its 2.3-mile path, though it caused no reported property damage. These events underscore that while tornadoes in western Washington are infrequent and typically less intense than those in tornado-prone regions, they remain a documented meteorological phenomenon requiring awareness and preparedness.