Centralia, WA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Centralia, WA had?
Centralia has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Centralia?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Centralia was an Unrated on October 4, 2019.
When is tornado season in Centralia?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Centralia, 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 Centralia
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 Centralia been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Centralia from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Centralia
About Tornadoes in Centralia
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.
Centralia, Washington has experienced 8 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 rotating storms. The city's tornado history shows no fatalities on record, and the vast majority of events have been weak, with five rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest).
The temporal distribution of Centralia's tornadoes reveals notable patterns. Activity was sparse in the earlier decades of record-keeping, with just one tornado documented in the 1960s. The pace increased in recent decades, with one event in the 1990s, three in the 2000s, and three more in the 2010s. October stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for three of the eight total events. This autumn concentration differs from the classic spring peak seen in many other parts of the country, reflecting the Pacific Northwest's unique weather patterns driven by Pacific moisture and terrain interactions.
In terms of intensity, the strongest tornado on record was an F2 that touched down on November 10, 1965, carving a 1.5-mile path with a maximum width of just 23 yards and causing $27,500 in property damage. This event also holds the distinction of being the longest-tracked tornado in the area's history. The costliest tornado occurred on April 6, 1994, when an F0 tornado with a half-mile path and 30-yard width caused $27,500 in damage. The widest tornado reached 90 yards across during a January 28, 2006 event that traveled half a mile but caused no reported damage.
The most recent tornado near Centralia touched down on October 4, 2019, an unrated event with a brief 0.1-mile path and 20-yard width that caused no damage or injuries. Beyond the F2 event from 1965, only one other tornado has exceeded EF0 intensity—a single EF1—underscoring the generally weak nature of tornadoes in this region.