South Hill, WA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has South Hill, WA had?
South Hill has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950.
When was the most recent tornado near South Hill?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of South Hill was an EF1 on January 18, 2015.
When is tornado season in South Hill?
September is historically the peak month for tornadoes near South Hill, 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 South Hill
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 South Hill been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of South Hill from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near South Hill
About Tornadoes in South Hill
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.
South Hill, Washington, situated in the Pacific Northwest, experiences tornadoes far less frequently than many regions of the central and southeastern United States, yet the area is not immune to these rotating storms. According to the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, 13 tornadoes have been documented within 25 miles of South Hill since 1950, with all events rated EF0 or EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which classifies tornadoes from EF0 (weakest, with winds 65-85 mph) to EF5 (strongest, exceeding 200 mph). Notably, no tornado in this area has resulted in a fatality on record.
Tornado activity near South Hill has shown some variation over the decades. The 1960s and 1980s each recorded one event, while the 1970s and 1990s each saw two tornadoes. Activity increased somewhat in the 2000s with four documented tornadoes, followed by three in the 2010s. Of the 13 total events, five were rated EF0 and eight were rated EF1, reflecting relatively weak intensity compared to the violent tornadoes that occasionally strike other parts of the country.
Unlike much of the nation where tornado season peaks in spring and early summer, the South Hill area shows a distinct pattern with September as the most active month, accounting for four of the 13 recorded tornadoes. The costliest tornado on record occurred on September 29, 1962, when an F1 tornado caused $275,000 in property damage along a 0.1-mile path with a maximum width of 30 yards. The widest tornado, measuring 400 yards across, touched down on June 28, 2001, traveling 2.3 miles as an F1 but causing no reported property damage.
The longest-track tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on September 6, 2009, when an EF1 tornado carved a 9.6-mile path with a maximum width of 170 yards, resulting in $180,000 in property damage but no injuries. The most recent tornado struck on January 18, 2015, an EF1 event that traveled 4.1 miles with a width of 175 yards, causing no damage or casualties. These statistics reflect the generally low-impact nature of tornadoes in western Washington compared to more tornado-prone regions of the United States.