Des Moines, WA Tornado History — 14 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Des Moines, WA had?
Des Moines has had 14 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Des Moines?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Des Moines was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Des Moines?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Des Moines, 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 Des Moines
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Des Moines been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Des Moines from any of the 14 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Des Moines
About Tornadoes in Des Moines
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.
Des Moines, Washington has experienced 14 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike much of the central United States where tornadoes peak in spring, the region's tornado activity shows a notable concentration in June, which has accounted for 4 of the recorded events. Tornadoes have occurred sporadically across the decades, with 3 events in the 1960s, 2 in the 1970s, and 3 each in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s.
The majority of tornadoes near Des Moines have been relatively weak on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado intensity from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators. Of the 14 recorded events, 4 were rated EF0 and 8 were rated EF1, indicating wind speeds generally below 110 mph. However, the area has also seen 1 EF2 tornado and 1 EF3 tornado, demonstrating that stronger events, while uncommon, are possible in the Pacific Northwest.
Remarkably, none of the tornadoes on record 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 stands as the most recent recorded event in the area. The longest-tracked tornado was an EF1 on September 6, 2009, which traveled 9.6 miles and caused $180,000 in damage, while the widest was an F1 tornado on June 28, 2001, reaching 400 yards across during its 2.3-mile path.
While tornadoes are far less frequent in western Washington than in the Great Plains, the historical record demonstrates that the Des Moines area is not immune to these severe weather events. The occurrence of tornadoes outside the traditional spring season, including the December 2018 event, reflects the region's distinct meteorological patterns compared to other parts of the country.