Issaquah, WA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Issaquah, WA had?
Issaquah has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Issaquah?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Issaquah was an EF1 on September 6, 2009.
When is tornado season in Issaquah?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Issaquah, with 2 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 Issaquah
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 1 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 Issaquah been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Issaquah from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Issaquah
About Tornadoes in Issaquah
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.
Issaquah, Washington, has experienced six 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 tornadoes on record span several decades, with three occurring in the 1960s, one in the 1970s, and two in the 2000s.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history was an F3 event on December 12, 1969, which caused $275,000 in property damage along a 3.8-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. Despite its intensity—F3 tornadoes feature estimated wind speeds between 158 and 206 mph on the Fujita scale—this storm resulted in no fatalities. In fact, none of the six tornadoes recorded near Issaquah have caused any deaths, a fortunate outcome that may reflect the region's lower population density during earlier events and effective warning systems in more recent years.
The distribution of tornado intensity shows two EF0 tornadoes, three EF1 tornadoes, and one EF3 tornado. The most recent tornado occurred on September 6, 2009, an EF1 event that traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards, causing $180,000 in damage but no injuries. This same tornado holds the distinction of being both the widest and longest-tracked tornado on record for the area.
September emerges as the peak month for tornado activity near Issaquah, with two events recorded during this month. This late-summer timing differs from the spring peak typical of tornado activity in the Great Plains, where warm, moist air masses collide more frequently with cooler air. The December occurrence of the 1969 F3 tornado illustrates that tornadoes can develop during the cooler months in this region when atmospheric conditions align appropriately.