Richland, WA Tornado History — 6 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Richland, WA had?
Richland has had 6 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near Richland?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Richland was an EF0 on March 31, 2020.
When is tornado season in Richland?
May is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Richland, 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 Richland
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 Richland been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Richland from any of the 6 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Richland
About Tornadoes in Richland
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.
Richland, Washington has experienced six documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. This relatively low frequency reflects the Pacific Northwest's generally unfavorable conditions for tornadic development, as the region's marine influence and mountainous terrain typically disrupt the atmospheric ingredients necessary for severe thunderstorm formation.
The recorded tornadoes have been predominantly weak, with four rated EF0, one rated EF1, and one rated EF2. No tornado-related fatalities have occurred in the area on record. The Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on damage indicators, classifies EF0 and EF1 tornadoes as having wind speeds below 110 mph, capable of causing light to moderate damage. The most significant event by intensity was the EF2 tornado, though specific details about this event are limited in the available records.
Tornado activity near Richland has been sporadic across the decades, with two events in the 1950s, one in the 1980s, two in the 2010s, and one in the 2020s. May has been the most active month with two recorded tornadoes, consistent with the spring season when temperature contrasts and atmospheric instability are more pronounced across much of the United States. The costliest tornado on record was an F1 event on April 23, 1983, which caused $27,500 in property damage along a three-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. The longest-tracked tornado occurred on May 9, 1956, traveling 10.2 miles as an F0 with a maximum width of 80 yards but causing no reported damage.
The most recent tornado touched down on March 31, 2020, rated EF0 with a brief 0.1-mile path and maximum width of just 20 yards, causing no damage or injuries. While tornadoes remain rare in the Richland area compared to many other regions of the country, these events demonstrate that the phenomenon can occur even in areas not typically associated with severe convective weather.