Orchards, WA Tornado History — 28 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Orchards, WA had?
Orchards has had 28 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Orchards?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Orchards was an EF0 on October 11, 2023.
When is tornado season in Orchards?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Orchards, with 6 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 Orchards
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 13 total, averaging 0.7 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
Casualties on Record Near Orchards
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Orchards since 1950, across 1 event. 302 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on April 5, 1972, which caused 6 fatalities along a 8.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Orchards
About Tornadoes in Orchards
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.
Orchards, Washington, has experienced 28 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. While tornadoes are less common in the Pacific Northwest than in the central United States, the region does see occasional tornado activity, particularly during the fall and winter months when atmospheric conditions can support rotating storms. The majority of recorded events in the Orchards area have been relatively weak, with 18 rated EF0 and 9 rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado tracked 8.7 miles with a maximum width of 440 yards. This event resulted in 6 fatalities and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. It remains the only EF3-rated tornado documented within 25 miles of Orchards since systematic record-keeping began.
Tornado activity in the area has increased in frequency over recent decades. The 1950s saw only one recorded event, while the 2000s and 2010s each recorded seven tornadoes. The 2020s have already produced four events through 2023. October stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence, with six documented events, reflecting the Pacific Northwest's tendency for autumn severe weather when cold air masses interact with residual warmth from the summer months.
Recent notable tornadoes include an EF1 event on January 10, 2008, that traveled 10.1 miles—the longest path length on record for the area—causing $525,000 in damage. The widest tornado recorded was an EF1 on December 10, 2015, reaching 528 yards in width and causing $311,000 in damage. The most recent event was an EF0 tornado on October 11, 2023, which traveled half a mile with a width of 100 yards and caused no injuries or property damage.