Puyallup, WA Tornado History — 15 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Puyallup, WA had?
Puyallup has had 15 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Puyallup?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Puyallup was an EF1 on January 18, 2015.
When is tornado season in Puyallup?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Puyallup, 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 Puyallup
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 4 total, averaging 0.2 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 Puyallup been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Puyallup from any of the 15 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Puyallup
About Tornadoes in Puyallup
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.
Puyallup, Washington has experienced 15 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. Unlike the central United States where tornadoes concentrate in spring and early summer, the Pacific Northwest sees a different pattern, with September accounting for four of the recorded events in this area—the most of any month.
The majority of tornadoes near Puyallup have been relatively weak, with six rated EF0 and eight rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). However, one F3 tornado struck on December 12, 1969, causing $275,000 in property damage along a 3.8-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. This remains the costliest tornado on record for the area, though notably, no fatalities have been recorded from any tornado event within the search radius.
Tornado activity in the region has been sporadic across the decades. The 1960s saw three events, followed by two in the 1970s and just one in the 1980s. Activity increased somewhat in the 2000s with four tornadoes, while the 1990s and 2010s each recorded two and three events respectively. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on September 6, 2009, when an EF1 traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards, causing $180,000 in damage. The widest tornado, measuring 400 yards across, touched down on June 28, 2001, though it caused no reported property damage despite its F1 rating.
The most recent tornado in the area was an EF1 that occurred on January 18, 2015, traveling 4.1 miles with a width of 175 yards and causing no damage or injuries. While tornadoes in western Washington are less frequent than in other parts of the country, these records demonstrate that the region does experience occasional tornado activity throughout the year, including during winter months when cold-season storm systems can produce rotating thunderstorms.