Renton, WA Tornado History — 12 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Renton, WA had?
Renton has had 12 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Renton?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Renton was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Renton?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Renton, 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 Renton
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 Renton been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Renton from any of the 12 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Renton
About Tornadoes in Renton
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.
Renton, Washington, has experienced 12 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 infrequent tornado activity compared to regions farther east, though the area is not immune to severe convective weather. The tornadoes on record have been distributed unevenly across the decades, with three events each in the 1960s, 1990s, and 2000s, two in the 2010s, and one in the 1970s.
The intensity distribution shows that most tornadoes near Renton have been weak to moderate. Four events were rated EF0, six were rated EF1, and only two reached EF2 or higher on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado damage intensity from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). One tornado reached EF3 strength, representing the most powerful event in the area's recorded history. Notably, none of the tornadoes on record resulted in fatalities, though property damage has occurred in several cases.
June has been the most active month for tornado activity in the Renton area, with three recorded events. This aligns with general patterns in the Pacific Northwest, where late spring and early summer can produce the atmospheric instability necessary for tornadic thunderstorms. However, tornadoes have also occurred outside the typical season, including a December 18, 2018 event that became both the costliest and most recent tornado on record. This EF2-rated tornado caused $1,180,000 in property damage along a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 285 yards.
The longest-tracked tornado near Renton occurred on September 6, 2009, when an EF1 tornado traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards, causing $180,000 in damage. The widest tornado on record was an F1 event on June 28, 2001, which reached 400 yards in width along a 2.3-mile path but caused no reported property damage. These events illustrate the variable nature of tornado behavior even in a region where such storms are relatively uncommon.