If you've noticed an uptick in tornado activity this year, your observation is accurate. With over 850 confirmed tornadoes and multiple significant outbreaks, this year stands out as one of the busiest on record.

According to preliminary data from the Storm Prediction Center, it ranks among the top six busiest years in the past three decades. This number is expected to climb as the National Weather Service continues to assess damages from the numerous tornado reports in April and May, which have surpassed previous years by a considerable margin. Even seasoned storm chasers are expressing astonishment at the level of tornado activity witnessed this year.

Harold Brooks, a senior scientist at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma, remarked, "We've experienced a substantial number of tornadoes and several significant days."

Preliminary data suggests that the U.S. has encountered four days with at least 30 tornadoes rated EF1 or stronger, whereas the annual average is typically two. This places 2024 squarely in the top 10% of years for tornado frequency.

Spring 2024 tornadoes claim dozens of lives.

Since April 26, the United States has witnessed 18 fatal tornadoes, resulting in the loss of 36 lives. Notably, half of the victims were residing in mobile homes.

On May 27, devastating tornadoes swept through Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas, claiming the lives of at least 22 individuals.

From May 6 to May 8, northeastern and central Oklahoma were ravaged by multiple tornadoes, including one in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, which resulted in one fatality and the destruction of 30 to 40 homes. These tornadoes were part of a series that struck various regions across the country.

Between April 27 and April 28, tornadoes tore through 12 counties in Oklahoma, resulting in at least four fatalities and 100 injuries.



Sheriff Ray Sappington of Cooke County, Texas, a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 30 years of experience, struggled to contain his emotions as he spoke to the press following a fatal tornado overnight on Saturday.

"I'm still deeply affected," Sappington shared with TODAY US NEWS 24 on Tuesday. The EF-3 tornado, spanning 48 miles across three counties, was one of four tornadoes documented in the Dallas/Fort Worth weather service region. With wind speeds reaching up to 140 mph, the tornado claimed the lives of seven individuals and left 100 injured, according to the weather service. 

Having attended numerous storm scenes throughout his career, Sappington remarked that the experience feels distinct "when you’re the sheriff and it’s in your county."

"I had to inform the parents of a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old that their children had passed away. I then escorted them in to identify the bodies and witnessed that," he recounted. "It's incredibly challenging.


What factors have contributed to the heightened activity of this tornado season?

Up until May 27, preliminary reports from the weather service indicate a total of 857 tornadoes.

Meteorologists interviewed by TODAY US NEWS 24 attribute this heightened activity to an active jet stream, combined with a succession of powerful storms traversing from the West Coast through the nation's midsection. Meteorologist Peter Mullinax from the Weather Prediction Center described it as "a perfect setup for a multitude of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes" over the recent weeks.

AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok noted that the storms have been able to access a particularly warm and moist atmosphere lingering over the Gulf of Mexico.

Both meteorologists pointed out that the active jet stream is partly fueled by the waning El Niño, a climatic pattern in the Pacific Ocean impacting weather patterns in the U.S. and globally.

Victor Gensini, an associate professor of meteorology and severe weather at Northern Illinois University, highlighted the cyclical nature of storm activity this year, attributing it to unusual warmth earlier in the year. He explained that the significant heat dome over Central America and the Gulf of Mexico acts as a reservoir for moisture, akin to gasoline, which accumulates and intensifies storm potential.

Gensini, currently in Texas where further severe weather is anticipated over the next week, noted the challenge cold fronts face in penetrating the heat dome this time of year. He emphasized that the persistent moisture retention is a crucial factor conducive to tornado formation.


Regarding the forecast, Pastelok predicted that the stormy pattern would persist into June but anticipated that the month wouldn't be as eventful as May.

Is climate change leading to an increase in tornado occurrences?


Gensini emphasized the necessity for further research to elucidate the impact of climate change on tornado activity. "While it's reasonable to assume that climate change plays a role, the extent of its influence—whether it's 10%, 5%, or 1%—remains uncertain without a concerted effort to investigate its involvement in these occurrences."

He illustrated that climate scientists lack confidence in detecting a definitive long-term trend regarding the frequency or intensity of tornadoes. Instead, there appears to be a shift in the timing and location of tornado occurrences compared to historical patterns, rendering previous assumptions less reliable in predicting when and where communities are vulnerable.

Source: Tornado warning: Twisters are hitting more frequently and causing more deaths in the South


Among the anomalies observed this year:

April saw a notable increase in tornado activity, surpassing the average, as mentioned by Brooks.

Certain regions have been repeatedly struck by tornadoes or multiple tornadoes within a short timeframe. For instance, Gilmer County, Georgia encountered four tornadoes on May 8 and 9.

The Dallas/Fort Worth weather service office documented four tornadoes in its region over the weekend, followed by gusts reaching up to 77 mph in Dallas and Arlington on Tuesday.

Illinois witnessed several intense storms in February, a time of year when such events are not uncommon, though the frequency was unexpected, according to Gensini.

Gensini further remarked, "We had tornadoes in similar areas just a few weeks ago. Couple that with some record-breaking temperatures and folks begin asking questions. To me, this is a good example of the new norms associated with climate change.

Urban areas have largely been spared—up to this point.

Despite the severity of this season, densely populated areas have largely been spared from the worst storms.

"While we've witnessed some catastrophic events and tragic loss of life, fortunately, many of the most intense storms this year have avoided heavily populated regions," remarked Gensini.


What to do during a tornado warning:

Remaining safe indoors, outdoors, or in a vehicle Gensini expresses hope for the ongoing trend but remains concerned about the potential impact of a major outbreak striking a densely populated area. As someone who constantly monitors these events, it's only a matter of time before we encounter 'the big one.