Graham, WA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Graham, WA had?
Graham has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Graham?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Graham was an EF1 on January 18, 2015.
When is tornado season in Graham?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Graham, 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 Graham
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 Graham been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Graham from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Graham
About Tornadoes in Graham
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.
Graham, Washington, located in Pierce County east of Tacoma, has experienced 12 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. All recorded tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest), indicating relatively weak to moderate wind speeds and limited structural damage potential.
Tornado activity near Graham has been distributed unevenly across the decades. The 1970s and 1990s each saw two tornadoes, while only one occurred during the 1980s. Activity increased somewhat in the 2000s with four events, followed by three tornadoes in the 2010s. Of the 12 total tornadoes, seven were rated EF1 and five were rated EF0. June has been the most active month historically, accounting for three tornadoes, though events have occurred in other months including September and January, demonstrating that tornado season in western Washington differs from the traditional spring peak observed in much of the country.
Notably, none of the tornadoes on record near Graham have resulted in fatalities. The costliest and longest-tracked tornado occurred on September 6, 2009, when an EF1 tornado traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards, causing $180,000 in property damage. The widest tornado on record was an F1 event on June 28, 2001, which reached 400 yards in width along a 2.3-mile path but caused no reported property damage. The most recent tornado was an EF1 that touched down on January 18, 2015, traveling 4.1 miles with a maximum width of 175 yards and causing no damage or injuries.
While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon in the Graham area compared to regions with more frequent severe weather, the historical record demonstrates that they do occur and can develop during various times of the year. The predominance of weaker tornadoes reflects typical patterns for the Pacific Northwest, where atmospheric conditions less frequently support the development of stronger rotating storms.