Mountlake Terrace, WA Tornado History — 9 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Mountlake Terrace, WA had?
Mountlake Terrace has had 9 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Mountlake Terrace?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Mountlake Terrace was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Mountlake Terrace?
August is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Mountlake Terrace, 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 Mountlake Terrace
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 Mountlake Terrace been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Mountlake Terrace from any of the 9 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Mountlake Terrace
About Tornadoes in Mountlake Terrace
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.
Mountlake Terrace, Washington has experienced nine 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. The recorded tornadoes span several decades, with three occurring in the 1960s, two in the 1970s, two in the 1990s, one in the 2000s, and one in the 2010s.
The intensity distribution of these tornadoes shows that most have been on the weaker end of the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornado damage from EF0 to EF5. Four tornadoes were rated EF0, representing the weakest category with wind speeds between 65 and 85 mph. Two were rated EF1, two reached EF2 intensity, and one attained EF3 strength with estimated winds between 136 and 165 mph. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred.
August has been the most active month for tornadoes in the area, with two events recorded during that month. However, tornadoes can occur outside typical peak seasons, as demonstrated by the most recent and costliest tornado on December 18, 2018. This EF2 tornado caused $1,180,000 in property damage, traveled 1.4 miles, and reached a maximum width of 285 yards. The same event also holds the distinction of being the widest tornado on record for the area.
The longest-tracked tornado occurred on August 18, 1964, when an F0 tornado traveled 5.2 miles with a maximum width of just 30 yards. Despite its extended path, this tornado caused no reported property damage and no injuries. The historical record demonstrates that while tornadoes are relatively uncommon in the Mountlake Terrace vicinity, they represent a genuine meteorological phenomenon that residents should be aware of, particularly given that events have occurred across multiple decades and in various months of the year.