Sammamish, WA Tornado History — 8 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Sammamish, WA had?
Sammamish has had 8 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Sammamish?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Sammamish was a F0 on June 16, 2006.
When is tornado season in Sammamish?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Sammamish, 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
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 Sammamish been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Sammamish from any of the 8 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Sammamish
About Tornadoes in Sammamish
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.
Sammamish, Washington has experienced eight documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest count reflects the Pacific Northwest's generally lower tornado frequency compared to regions farther east, though the area is not immune to these weather events. All eight tornadoes on record resulted in zero fatalities, a fortunate outcome given the region's growing population over the decades.
The most significant tornado in the area's history occurred on December 12, 1969, when an F3-rated storm carved a 3.8-mile path with a maximum width of 100 yards. This event caused $275,000 in property damage, making it the costliest on record for the region. The December timing of this tornado is unusual, as tornadoes in the Pacific Northwest typically occur during warmer months. The longest-tracked tornado traveled 5.2 miles on August 18, 1964, though this F0-rated event caused no reported damage. An F1 tornado on October 26, 1971 holds the record for maximum width at 100 yards, matching the 1969 event, while causing $27,500 in property damage along a three-mile path.
Tornado activity near Sammamish peaked during the 1960s with three events, followed by two in the 1970s, one in the 1990s, and two in the 2000s. June has been the most active month historically, with two recorded tornadoes. The most recent tornado touched down on June 16, 2006, an F0-rated event that traveled half a mile with a 50-yard width and caused no damage or injuries. The distribution of tornado intensities shows four EF0 events, three EF1 events, and one EF3 event, with the majority falling on the lower end of the Enhanced Fujita scale, which rates tornadoes from EF0 to EF5 based on estimated wind speeds and resulting damage.
While tornadoes remain relatively rare in western Washington compared to the central United States, the historical record demonstrates that the Sammamish area can experience these phenomena across various months and intensity levels. The absence of fatalities across all recorded events reflects both the typically weaker nature of Pacific Northwest tornadoes and the lower population density during earlier decades when most of these events occurred.