Covington, WA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Covington, WA had?
Covington has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Covington?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Covington was an EF1 on January 18, 2015.
When is tornado season in Covington?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Covington, 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 Covington
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 Covington been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Covington from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Covington
About Tornadoes in Covington
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.
Covington, Washington, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than many regions of the United States, but the area is not immune to these severe weather events. According to data from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 12 tornadoes have been recorded within 25 miles of the city since 1950. The majority of these tornadoes have been relatively weak, with eight rated EF1 and three rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornado intensity based on damage. However, one EF3 tornado—a rating indicating considerable damage with estimated wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph—did occur in the area on December 12, 1969.
That December 1969 tornado remains the costliest on record near Covington, causing $275,000 in property damage along a 3.8-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. Despite its intensity, no fatalities were reported. In fact, none of the 12 tornadoes recorded in the area have resulted in any deaths, a fortunate outcome that reflects both the relatively low intensity of most events and the sparse population density in affected areas during many of these occurrences.
Tornado activity near Covington has been sporadic across the decades. The 1960s and 2000s each saw three tornadoes, while the 1970s, 1990s, and 2010s each recorded two events. June has been the most active month, accounting for four of the 12 tornadoes, though tornadoes have occurred in other months as well, including the unusual December event in 1969 and a January tornado in 2015. The longest-tracked tornado on record 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 reached 400 yards across during a June 28, 2001 event that caused no reported damage.
The most recent tornado near Covington occurred on January 18, 2015, when an EF1 tornado carved a 4.1-mile path with a maximum width of 175 yards. Like many tornadoes in the Pacific Northwest, it caused no injuries or property damage, highlighting the region's relatively modest tornado risk compared to other parts of the country.