Although tornadoes happen throughout the entire year, most occur during tornado season, along with thunderstorms, in the spring and summer months. Tornado season is extremely unpredictable, with the most violent tornadoes causing thousands of dollars in damage and resulting in deaths and injuries. Warmer weather and a shifting tornado zone this year are causing scientists to predict that the 2022 tornado season will spawn more tornadoes than previous years.

2022 tornado statistics

  • In 2021, there were 1,376 tornadoes in the United States, compared with 1,075 in 2020. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  • In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and 1500 injuries. (Weather.gov)
  • The Jopliest tornado ever recorded happened in Bridgecreek, Oklahoma in 1999 with wind speeds of 302 miles n tornado of May 22, 2011 is considered the costliest tornado in recent history, with damage totals near $3.18 billion. (NOAA)
  • The fastest tornado ever recorded happened in Bridgecreek, Oklahoma in 1999 with wind speeds of 302 miles per hour. (Arizona State University)
  • Tornado intensity is measured by the enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which incorporates 28 different damage indicators based on damage to a wide variety of structures. (Weather.gov)
  • Although it covers just 15% of the U.S., Tornado Alley lays claim to nearly 30% of all the confirmed tornadoes in the Storm Prediction Center’s database between 1950 and 2012. (NOAA)

Frequently asked questions about tornadoes

    • Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can happen at any time of the year, but the ingredients for the most dangerous storms and damaging twisters come together most frequently in the Central and Southern U.S. during March, April, and May. 
    • A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris. Tornadoes can be among the most violent phenomena of all atmospheric storms we experience, according to the NOAA.
    • Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Illinois topped the list as the top five worst states for tornadoes. These states recorded the most tornadic activity in 2020, ranging from 127 in Mississippi to 71 in Illinois, as confirmed by the National Weather Service. You can learn more about the worst states in our content: The 10 Worst States for Tornadoes.
    • According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), Tornado Alley states include: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas.
    • Movement can range from almost stationary to more than 60 mph. A typical tornado travels at around 10–20 miles per hour, according to the NOAA.
    • If you are able to, offer them shelter. You can also donate to victims through The Salvation Army or the Red Cross. If you would like to help victims of a specific tornado, check local relief organizations or do a web search to see if there are unique funds set up to help.

Tornado watch vs. warning

Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is important because there is a difference in the urgency of each alert. While a tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado to form, a tornado warning means tornadoes have been spotted in the area. Regardless of whether a watch or warning is issued, it is important to be in a safe area away from windows where you are aware of your surroundings.

Tornado Watch

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when local conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. These conditions include an increased amount of low-level moisture, atmospheric instability, and a mechanism to “lift” the air. The size of the predicted tornadoes is contingent on the mix of conditions that are occurring. A tornado watch usually lasts between four and eight hours. This is a good time to review tornado safety and get to a safe place in case conditions worsen.

Tornado Warning

A tornado warning means that a tornado was sighted in the area or was seen on the weather radar. Warnings are issued by the local forecast office and encompass areas of a city or a small county. This means that the situation has escalated and is now dangerous to those nearby. It is important to practice tornado safety and move away from windows to an interior room on the bottom floor of a building away if possible. If you are outside, or in an unsturdy building such as a mobile home, it is best to seek a sturdy shelter to protect yourself.

How to prepare for a tornado

Storms can be scary, especially when there is a possibility of tornadoes, but a little preparedness can help minimize stress and keep you and your family safe.

Know where to shelter

Identify a safe space in your home that is away from windows and doors. This spot should be on the lowest floor and as close to the middle as possible, away from exterior facing walls. States where tornadoes are more common will often have a designated storm shelter in the home or nearby. If you are in a mobile home, do not stay there if you are able to leave.

Make a plan

Making a plan is especially important because it can be difficult to stay calm during a tornado. Identifying a location and talking to children about the plan can be useful before storms occur so that everyone knows what to do.

Make sure your home insurance is up-to-date

Homeowners insurance protects you financially in the event that your home is damaged by a storm, including most tornadoes. It is important to make sure that your homeowners insurance is up-to-date so you are the most protected. You’ll also want to talk with your insurance agent to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy. There are so many other aspects to worry about during a storm, you should not be worried about the financial responsibility of damages that occur.

With the increased number of predicted tornadoes this year, it is important to get a head start on learning best practices for preparing to take on the season. Thunderstorms can be annoying, but also dangerous when they take a turn for the worst and become tornadoes. The best way to protect yourself and your property from these storms is to make sure you have the proper tools and shelter, and make sure to stay up to date with the latest weather information, especially when it is overcast.