Resolution Criteria

This market resolves YES if a tornado touches down in Seattle, Washington on or before February 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Resolution will be determined by official reports from the National Weather Service, local emergency management, or credible news sources documenting a confirmed tornado sighting within Seattle city limits or immediate surrounding areas. The tornado must be officially classified or widely reported as a tornado event.

Background

Tornadoes are very rare in the Puget Sound region, though they have occurred historically. The first confirmed tornado in Western Washington struck Seattle on September 28, 1962, with 100 mph winds in the Sand Point area. A long-tracked F3 tornado moved through metropolitan Seattle on December 12, 1969, causing extensive damage in White Center. Tornadoes in Washington most commonly occur in April, May and June, making February an atypical month for tornado activity. Tornadoes are extremely rare in December, and February similarly falls outside peak tornado season.

Considerations

In Washington state due to the short duration of tornadoes, a watch or warning may not actually get sounded in a timely manner. Additionally, tornado watch conditions are very rare to have in Washington state, especially Western Washington.

This description was generated by AI.