Columbia City, WA Tornado History — 10 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Columbia City, WA had?
Columbia City has had 10 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Columbia City?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Columbia City was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Columbia City?
December is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Columbia City, 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 Columbia City
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 2 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 Columbia City been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Columbia City from any of the 10 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Columbia City
About Tornadoes in Columbia City
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.
Columbia City, Washington, has experienced 10 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest count 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 area's tornado activity has been sporadic across the decades, with three tornadoes recorded in both the 1960s and 1990s, two in the 2010s, and single events in the 1970s and 2000s.
The intensity distribution shows that most tornadoes near Columbia City have been weak, with four rated EF0 and four rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado damage on a scale from EF0 to EF5. However, the area has also experienced one EF2 and one EF3 tornado, demonstrating that stronger events, while rare, can occur in the region. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities, a fortunate outcome that may reflect the region's lower population density and the typically smaller size of Pacific Northwest tornadoes.
Unlike much of the country where tornado season peaks in spring and early summer, Columbia City's tornado activity shows an unusual pattern, with December accounting for three events—the most of any month. This winter peak aligns with the Pacific Northwest's wet season, when atmospheric dynamics can occasionally produce rotating thunderstorms. The most significant tornado on record occurred on December 18, 2018, when an EF2 tornado caused $1,180,000 in property damage along a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 285 yards. This event stands as the costliest, widest, and most recent tornado in the area's recorded history.
The longest-tracked tornado near Columbia City was an F0 that traveled 5.2 miles on August 18, 1964, though it caused no reported damage despite its 30-yard width. The historical record demonstrates that while tornadoes are infrequent in this part of Washington, residents should remain aware that these weather events can occur in any season, with winter months presenting particular risk in the Pacific Northwest.