Severe Weather May 6-8, 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Where is Tornado Alley in 2024? ›

Where tornadoes have been reported. "Tornado Alley" has sprung back to life, with the majority of tornadoes erupting in central U.S. states which include: Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

According to NBC News, April 2024, with an estimated 384 tornadoes, was the second-most-active month for tornadoes in the history of the U.S., and only outdone by April 2011. From April 27 to May 8, there were more than 600 tornado warnings.

Sign up for the Morning Brief email newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists. T​he nation's "Tornado Alley" has shifted and tornadoes are increasing in colder times of the year, a recently published study found.

This article lists various tornado records. The most "extreme" tornado in recorded history was the Tri-State tornado, which spread through parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana on March 18, 1925.

Average number of tornadoes by state (1997–2022)

What states don't have tornadoes? Alaska, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C. rarely see tornadoes — they averaged zero tornadoes annually over the last 25 years, according to our analysis of NOAA data.

While there is no official designation, the area known as Tornado Alley is generally designated as between Texas and South Dakota. AccuWeather identified the area as northern Texas northward through Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri and parts of Louisiana, Iowa, Nebraska and eastern Colorado.

Tornadoes can occur in the U.S. at any time throughout the year, but there's a distinct seasonal peak in tornadic activity, and it starts in April. Long-term severe weather records show April, May and June are the three most active months for tornadoes in the U.S.

Tornado season usually refers to the time of year the U.S. sees the most tornadoes. The peak “tornado season” for the southern Plains (e.g., Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas) is from May into early June. On the Gulf coast, it is earlier in the spring.

Texas leads the nation for the average number each year only because of its size. Surprisingly, when looking at how many tornadoes occur per fixed area then Florida leads followed by Kansas, and again surprisingly, Maryland.

After viewing the aerial photos of the storm damage in Xenia, Fujita officially rated the tornado as an F6. This was the second and last time that a tornado was rated as an F6. The other F6 tornado occurred in Lubbock, Texas in 1970.

Is a brick house safe in a tornado? ›

Brick structures, thanks to their robust composition, provide a higher level of protection against these twisters. Their ability to endure impacts from flying debris and their innate ability to absorb energy make them a reliable choice for areas prone to tornadoes.

The Tri-State Tornado

On March 18, 1925, the deadliest single tornado in the history of the United States occurred. The enormous storm affected people in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, hence the name. As a result, almost 700 people were killed and over 2,000 were injured.

Tornado Alley is a region covering the Great Plains known for its tornado activity. While its exact boundaries are debated, it generally encompasses parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Supercell thunderstorms, which can cause violent tornadoes, are much more common in the Great Plains.

The number in each state depicts the average annual number of tornadoes based on the 20-year period from 2003 to 2022. The two most active states for tornadoes are Texas, with 124, and Kansas, with 87, in an average year.

Tennessee is not considered part of tornado alley, but the state has had its fair share of tornadoes over the years. Comparing annual data from 1980 to 1999 with 2000 to 2019, 20 U.S. states saw an increase in tornado activity, including Tennessee.

But the data we do have so far paints a historic picture: According to event summaries from weather service offices in Omaha, Sioux Falls, Des Moines and the Quad Cities, at least 84 tornadoes have hit Iowa so far in 2024.