Olympia, WA Tornado History — 10 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Olympia, WA had?
Olympia has had 10 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Olympia?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Olympia was an EF1 on October 18, 2019.
When is tornado season in Olympia?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Olympia, 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 Olympia
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 3 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 Olympia been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Olympia from any of the 10 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Olympia
About Tornadoes in Olympia
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.
Olympia, Washington has experienced 10 documented tornadoes within 25 miles of the city since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Unlike the more tornado-prone regions of the central United States, the Pacific Northwest sees relatively infrequent tornado activity, and Olympia's recorded events reflect this pattern. None of these tornadoes resulted in fatalities, and the majority caused minimal damage.
The intensity distribution shows that most tornadoes in the area have been weak. Four events were rated EF0, four were rated EF1, and one reached EF2 intensity. One tornado remains unrated in the historical records. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators, helps meteorologists assess wind speeds after the fact; EF0 and EF1 tornadoes typically produce wind speeds between 65 and 110 mph.
Tornado activity near Olympia has been distributed unevenly across the decades. The 1960s and 1980s each recorded one tornado, while the 1990s saw two events. Activity increased somewhat in recent decades, with three tornadoes documented in both the 2000s and 2010s. October stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, accounting for three of the ten recorded events, an unusual pattern compared to the spring peak common in other parts of the country.
The most significant tornado on record occurred on October 19, 2019, an EF1 event that caused $150,000 in property damage along a 0.7-mile path with a maximum width of 90 yards. The longest and widest tornado in the area's history touched down on January 18, 2015, traveling 4.1 miles with a maximum width of 175 yards, though it caused no reported property damage. This January tornado, also rated EF1, illustrates the year-round potential for severe weather in western Washington, even during the winter months when cold-season atmospheric dynamics can occasionally produce rotating storms.