Lakewood, WA Tornado History — 16 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Lakewood, WA had?
Lakewood has had 16 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Lakewood?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Lakewood was an EF1 on October 18, 2019.
When is tornado season in Lakewood?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Lakewood, 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 Lakewood
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 6 total, averaging 0.3 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 Lakewood been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Lakewood from any of the 16 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Lakewood
About Tornadoes in Lakewood
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.
Lakewood, Washington has experienced 16 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. Notably, tornado activity in the area has increased in recent decades, with five tornadoes recorded in the 2010s and four in the 2000s, compared to just one or two per decade from the 1960s through the 1990s.
The tornadoes near Lakewood have been predominantly weak, with nine rated EF1 and five rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also seen stronger events: one EF2 tornado and one EF3 tornado have been recorded in the historical data. Remarkably, none of the 16 tornadoes on record resulted in any fatalities, though several caused property damage. 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.
September stands out as the peak month for tornado activity in the Lakewood area, with four events recorded during that month. This late-summer timing differs from the traditional spring peak seen in many other parts of the country, reflecting the unique meteorological patterns of the Pacific Northwest. The longest-tracked tornado on record was an EF1 that traveled 9.6 miles on September 6, 2009, causing $180,000 in damage, while the widest was an F1 tornado on June 28, 2001, which reached 400 yards across despite causing no reported property damage.
The most recent tornado near Lakewood occurred on October 19, 2019, when an EF1 tornado with a 90-yard width traveled 0.7 miles and caused $150,000 in property damage. While tornadoes remain relatively uncommon events in western Washington, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the late summer and fall months.