Pierce County, Washington tornadoes

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9 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1978). Most recent: January 18, 2015, EF1. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

At a glance

Total91950 to 2025
Per year0.1average since 1950
Peak monthJune3 of 9
StrongestF1Jun 12, 1978
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries0whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Pierce County.

When tornadoes hit here

By month

30 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 1May: 1Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 3Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 3 of 9 tornadoes.

By time of day

20 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 0: 03 PM: 1: 2: 26 PM: 1: 0: 19 PM: 0: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 4:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

10 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones.

By rating

EF0
3
EF1
6

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

Notable tornadoes

All 9 tornadoes, newest first

Tornadoes, newest first
DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jan 18, 2015EF14.1 mi175 yd00
Apr 27, 2014EF00.2 mi25 yd00
Sep 30, 2013EF11 mi75 yd00
Sep 6, 2009EF19.6 mi170 yd00
Jun 27, 2001F12.3 mi400 yd00
May 31, 1997F10.5 mi10 yd00
Jun 23, 1996F00.4 mi50 yd00
Sep 24, 1981F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 12, 1978F11.5 mi10 yd00

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 12, 2026.