Washougal, WA Tornado History — 21 Tornadoes Since 1950
How many tornadoes has Washougal, WA had?
Washougal has had 21 tornadoes on record within 25 miles since 1950, including 1 violent (EF3+) tornado.
When was the most recent tornado near Washougal?
The most recent tornado within 25 miles of Washougal was an EF0 on October 22, 2022.
When is tornado season in Washougal?
October is historically the peak month for tornadoes near Washougal, with 6 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 Washougal
The last 20 years of confirmed tornadoes within 25 miles — 11 total, averaging 0.6 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
Casualties on Record Near Washougal
6 fatalities have been recorded within 25 miles of Washougal since 1950, across 1 event. 300 injuries have been reported across all events. 1972 was the deadliest year on record.
The deadliest single event was a F3 on April 5, 1972, which caused 6 fatalities along a 8.7-mile track.
Notable Tornadoes Near Washougal
About Tornadoes in Washougal
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.
Washougal, Washington has experienced 21 documented tornadoes within a 25-mile radius since 1950, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. This relatively modest total reflects the Pacific Northwest's generally lower tornado frequency compared to regions farther east, though the area is not immune to severe convective weather capable of producing tornadoes.
Tornado activity in the Washougal area has increased notably in recent decades. Only three tornadoes were recorded in the combined thirty years from 1950 through 1979, while the period from 1990 onward has seen 18 events. The 2010s marked the most active decade with six tornadoes, followed by five in the 1990s and four in the 2000s. The majority of these tornadoes have been weak, with 14 rated EF0 and six rated EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which measures tornado intensity based on damage to structures and vegetation.
The most significant tornado in the area's recorded history occurred on April 5, 1972, when an F3 tornado carved an 8.7-mile path with a maximum width of 440 yards. This event resulted in six fatalities and caused $27.5 million in property damage, making it both the deadliest and costliest tornado on record for the region. It remains the only tornado rated EF3 or higher within 25 miles of Washougal since 1950. The longest-tracked tornado was an EF1 on January 10, 2008, which traveled 10.1 miles and caused $525,000 in damage, while the widest was an EF1 on December 10, 2015, reaching 528 yards across.
October stands out as the peak month for tornado activity near Washougal, with six recorded events, an unusual pattern that differs from the spring-dominant tornado seasons typical of much of the United States. The most recent tornado occurred on October 23, 2022, an EF0 that traveled 0.9 miles with a maximum width of 248 yards and caused $50,000 in property damage with no fatalities.