Tukwila, WA Tornado History — 13 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Tukwila, WA had?
Tukwila has had 13 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Tukwila?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Tukwila was an EF2 on December 18, 2018.
When is tornado season in Tukwila?
June is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Tukwila, 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 Tukwila
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 Tukwila been fatal?
No fatalities are on record within 25 miles of Tukwila from any of the 13 tornadoes since 1950, though 1 injuries have been reported. NOAA Storm Prediction Center records.
Notable Tornadoes Near Tukwila
About Tornadoes in Tukwila
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.
Tukwila, Washington has experienced 13 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 generally lower tornado frequency compared to the central United States, though the region does see occasional tornado activity when atmospheric conditions align favorably.
The recorded tornadoes span several decades, with activity concentrated in the 1960s, 1990s, and 2000s, each seeing three events, while the 1970s and 2010s each recorded two tornadoes. June stands out as the peak month for tornado occurrence in the area with four events, though tornado activity has been documented in other months as well. The majority of these tornadoes have been relatively weak, with four rated EF0 and seven rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage. However, the area has also experienced one EF2 and one EF3 tornado, demonstrating that stronger events, while rare, are possible.
Notably, no tornadoes on record in the Tukwila area have resulted in fatalities. The costliest and most recent tornado was an EF2 event on December 18, 2018, which caused $1,180,000 in property damage along a 1.4-mile path with a maximum width of 285 yards. The widest tornado on record was an F1 that occurred on June 28, 2001, reaching 400 yards across during its 2.3-mile track, though it caused no reported property damage. The longest-track tornado was an EF1 on September 6, 2009, which traveled 9.6 miles with a maximum width of 170 yards and caused $180,000 in damage.
While tornadoes remain uncommon in western Washington compared to more tornado-prone regions of the country, the historical record demonstrates that residents should maintain awareness of severe weather potential, particularly during the late spring and early summer months when atmospheric instability can occasionally produce rotating storms.