Washington Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Washington is much higher than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Washington is much lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #3
| Washington | 4.04 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #6
| Washington | 0.0135 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #46
| Washington | 9.06 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 2,905 other weather extremes events from 1950 to 2010 were recorded in Washington. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 34 | Blizzard: | 14 | Cold: | 23 | Dense Fog: | 6 | Drought: | 7 |
| Dust Storm: | 31 | Flood: | 269 | Hail: | 252 | Heat: | 11 | Heavy Snow: | 588 |
| High Surf: | 5 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 24 | Landslide: | 27 | Strong Wind: | 657 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 290 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 167 | Winter Storm: | 57 | Winter Weather: | 46 |
| Other: | 397 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
A total of 15 volcanoes are found in or near Washington.
| Name | Region | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation (foot) | Type | Status | Last Eruption |
| Glacier Peak | US-Washington, United States | 48.112 | -121.113 | 3213 | Stratovolcano | Tephrochronology | Last known eruption 1700-1799 |
| Rainier | US-Washington, United States | 46.87 | -121.758 | 4392 | Stratovolcano | Dendrochronology | Last known eruption 1800-1899 |
| Adams | US-Washington, United States | 46.206 | -121.49 | 3742 | Stratovolcano | Tephrochronology | Last known eruption A.D. 1-1499 |
| Baker | US-Washington, United States | 48.786 | -121.82 | 3285 | Stratovolcano | Historical | Last known eruption 1800-1899 |
| St. Helens | US-Washington, United States | 46.2 | -122.18 | 2549 | Stratovolcano | Historical | Last known eruption 1964 or later |
| Indian Heaven | US-Washington, United States | 45.93 | -121.82 | 1513 | Shield volcano | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
| West Crater | US-Washington, United States | 45.88 | -122.08 | 1329 | Volcanic field | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
| Hood | US-Oregon, United States | 45.374 | -121.694 | 3426 | Stratovolcano | Historical | Last known eruption 1800-1899 |
| Jefferson | US-Oregon, United States | 44.692 | -121.8 | 3199 | Stratovolcano | Varve Count | Last known eruption A.D. 1-1499 |
| Garibaldi, Mt. | Canada, Canada | 49.85 | -123 | 2678 | Stratovolcano | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
| Garibaldi Lake | Canada, Canada | 49.92 | -123.03 | 2316 | Volcanic field | Holocene | Undated, but probable Holocene eruption |
| Blue Lake Crater | US-Oregon, United States | 44.42 | -121.77 | 1230 | Maar | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
| Sand Mountain Field | US-Oregon, United States | 44.38 | -121.93 | 1664 | Cinder cone | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
| Washington | US-Oregon, United States | 44.332 | -121.837 | 2376 | Shield volcano | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption A.D. 1-1499 |
| Belknap | US-Oregon, United States | 44.285 | -121.841 | 2095 | Shield volcano | Radiocarbon | Last known eruption A.D. 1-1499 |
Historical Earthquake Events
A total of 88 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in Washington.
| Date | Magnitude | Depth (km) | Latitude | Longitude |
| 1949-04-13 | 7 | N/A | 47.25 | -122.5 |
| 1965-04-29 | 6.5 | N/A | 47.97 | -117.34 |
| 1965-04-29 | 6.5 | N/A | 47.4 | -122.3 |
| 1946-02-15 | 5.8 | N/A | 47.3 | -122.9 |
| 1946-02-15 | 5.8 | N/A | 47.5 | -122.5 |
| 1936-07-16 | 5.8 | N/A | 46 | -118.5 |
| 1945-04-29 | 5.5 | N/A | 47.4 | -121.7 |
| 1939-11-13 | 5.3 | N/A | 47.4 | -122.6 |
| 1981-02-14 | 5.2 | 7 | 46.35 | -122.24 |
| 1976-05-16 | 5.1 | 62 | 48.8 | -123.36 |
| 1981-05-28 | 5 | 3 | 46.53 | -121.41 |
| 1964-07-14 | 5 | N/A | 48.9 | -122.5 |
| 1974-04-20 | 4.9 | 5 | 46.76 | -121.52 |
| 1965-10-23 | 4.8 | N/A | 47.5 | -122.4 |
| 1978-03-11 | 4.8 | 25 | 47.42 | -122.71 |
| 1976-09-08 | 4.8 | 48 | 47.38 | -123.08 |
| 1962-11-06 | 4.8 | N/A | 45.63 | -122.67 |
| 1980-05-18 | 4.7 | 4 | 46.21 | -122.19 |
| 1980-05-27 | 4.7 | 4 | 46.21 | -122.19 |
| 1969-11-10 | 4.7 | N/A | 48.52 | -121.4 |
| 1981-05-28 | 4.6 | 3 | 46.53 | -121.42 |
| 1969-02-14 | 4.5 | N/A | 48.73 | -123.09 |
| 1967-05-25 | 4.5 | N/A | 48.1 | -122.8 |
| 1969-02-14 | 4.5 | N/A | 48.73 | -123.1 |
| 1981-05-13 | 4.5 | 10 | 46.37 | -122.26 |
| 1967-03-07 | 4.4 | N/A | 47.8 | -122.7 |
| 1978-08-23 | 4.4 | 17 | 48.38 | -123.2 |
| 1963-12-22 | 4.4 | N/A | 48.33 | -119.33 |
| 1971-12-28 | 4.4 | 27 | 47.58 | -122.22 |
| 1983-10-31 | 4.3 | 45 | 47.35 | -123.23 |
| 1968-09-06 | 4.3 | N/A | 47.8 | -122.8 |
| 1977-07-10 | 4.3 | 11 | 48.53 | -122.45 |
| 1968-11-30 | 4.3 | N/A | 46.5 | -122.4 |
| 1976-09-02 | 4.3 | 24 | 48.21 | -122.76 |
| 1984-04-11 | 4.3 | 8 | 47.53 | -120.19 |
| 1978-03-31 | 4.2 | 23 | 47.42 | -122.72 |
| 1970-10-24 | 4.2 | 25 | 47.3 | -122.4 |
| 1983-08-28 | 4.2 | 50 | 47.95 | -122.86 |
| 1981-02-18 | 4.2 | N/A | 47.21 | -120.9 |
| 1979-04-08 | 4.1 | 5 | 46 | -118.45 |
| 1982-03-01 | 4.1 | 12 | 46.35 | -122.25 |
| 1979-11-26 | 4.1 | 20 | 48.54 | -122.41 |
| 1969-11-01 | 4.1 | N/A | 47.92 | -121.85 |
| 1964-10-15 | 4.1 | N/A | 47.7 | -122.1 |
| 1973-12-20 | 4.1 | 1 | 46.9 | -119.3 |
| 1973-07-18 | 4 | 11 | 46.8 | -121.8 |
| 1969-10-09 | 4 | N/A | 46.77 | -121.72 |
| 1970-05-18 | 4 | 11 | 48.6 | -122.7 |
| 1979-01-19 | 4 | 7 | 47.9 | -119.69 |
| 1978-12-31 | 4 | 20 | 47.58 | -121.85 |
| 1968-06-19 | 4 | N/A | 47.2 | -122.5 |
| 1981-02-02 | 4 | 4 | 46.26 | -121 |
| 1975-04-16 | 4 | N/A | 47.57 | -122.91 |
| 1975-04-23 | 4 | N/A | 47.08 | -122.65 |
| 1978-03-05 | 4 | 57 | 48.06 | -123 |
| 1970-02-10 | 3.9 | 33 | 47.7 | -122.3 |
| 1979-03-11 | 3.9 | 16 | 46.45 | -122.4 |
| 1983-03-22 | 3.9 | 4 | 46 | -118.44 |
| 1981-02-14 | 3.8 | 7 | 46.34 | -122.24 |
| 1981-02-14 | 3.8 | 11 | 46.36 | -122.25 |
| 1971-01-14 | 3.8 | 30 | 47.4 | -123.6 |
| 1983-11-14 | 3.8 | 6 | 46.67 | -120.59 |
| 1980-09-19 | 3.8 | 6 | 47.91 | -121.87 |
| 1974-05-16 | 3.8 | 54 | 48.14 | -122.92 |
| 1983-12-05 | 3.8 | 6 | 46.93 | -120.7 |
| 1979-03-12 | 3.8 | 24 | 48.19 | -122.76 |
| 1979-07-07 | 3.8 | 5 | 46.52 | -122.17 |
| 1981-11-12 | 3.7 | 26 | 47.94 | -122.42 |
| 1966-06-11 | 3.7 | N/A | 47.83 | -122.55 |
| 1979-07-28 | 3.7 | N/A | 46.67 | -120.59 |
| 1983-08-17 | 3.7 | 5 | 48.14 | -124.48 |
| 1984-06-04 | 3.7 | 53 | 46.21 | -123.06 |
| 1985-02-28 | 3.7 | 47 | 47.49 | -122.59 |
| 1978-06-27 | 3.7 | 1 | 46.86 | -120.96 |
| 1980-05-28 | 3.6 | 8 | 46.34 | -122.2 |
| 1979-02-01 | 3.6 | 9 | 47.53 | -121.92 |
| 1976-01-31 | 3.6 | 18 | 48.35 | -122.32 |
| 1984-06-02 | 3.6 | 21 | 47.42 | -122.7 |
| 1977-07-13 | 3.6 | N/A | 47.06 | -120.96 |
| 1981-03-15 | 3.6 | 5 | 47.99 | -121.5 |
| 1979-11-15 | 3.6 | 15 | 49.24 | -122.35 |
| 1980-06-08 | 3.5 | 48 | 47.98 | -123.01 |
| 1981-11-26 | 3.5 | 22 | 47.65 | -122.62 |
| 1969-11-28 | 3.5 | N/A | 47.4 | -122.7 |
| 1973-06-09 | 3.5 | N/A | 47.6 | -121.8 |
| 1981-02-14 | 3.5 | 11 | 46.35 | -122.25 |
| 1973-02-22 | 3.5 | 20 | 47.2 | -122.9 |
| 1985-03-18 | 3.5 | 53 | 47.34 | -122.62 |
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 15 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in Washington.
| Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 1969-12-12 | 3 | 47°30'N / 122°24'W | 47°32'N / 122°19'W | 3.80 Miles | 100 Yards | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | King |
| 1972-04-05 | 3 | 45°36'N / 122°38'W | 45°38'N / 122°27'W | 8.70 Miles | 440 Yards | 6 | 300 | 25.0M | 0 | Clark |
| 1972-04-05 | 3 | 47°45'N / 118°31'W | 47°46'N / 118°28'W | 0 | 1 | 250K | 0 | Lincoln | ||
| 1954-06-15 | 2 | 47°26'N / 117°23'W | 0.50 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Spokane | |
| 1957-04-30 | 2 | 46°36'N / 120°30'W | 1.00 Mile | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Yakima | |
| 1957-05-06 | 2 | 47°29'N / 117°12'W | 1.50 Miles | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Spokane | |
| 1958-06-26 | 2 | 46°04'N / 118°56'W | 0.30 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Walla Walla | |
| 1965-11-10 | 2 | 46°42'N / 122°54'W | 1.50 Miles | 23 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Lewis | |
| 1966-03-14 | 2 | 46°30'N / 117°48'W | 1.00 Mile | 13 Yards | 0 | 0 | 3K | 0 | Columbia | |
| 1970-11-24 | 2 | 48°06'N / 122°12'W | 0.30 Mile | 30 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Snohomish | |
| 1971-08-30 | 2 | 46°55'N / 117°21'W | 0.50 Mile | 17 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Whitman | |
| 1972-04-05 | 2 | 47°42'N / 119°06'W | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Grant | |||
| 1972-04-05 | 2 | 48°36'N / 118°06'W | 1.00 Mile | 100 Yards | 0 | 0 | 25K | 0 | Stevens | |
| 1978-07-17 | 2 | 48°11'N / 117°08'W | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Pend Oreille | |||
| 1986-05-13 | 2 | 48°13'N / 122°03'W | 0.30 Mile | 33 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0 | Snohomish |
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.