A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground and can be among the most violent phenomena of atmospheric storms we experience.

Tornadoes happen in many parts of the world, including Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and New Zealand. Outside of the U.S., Argentina and Bangladesh have the highest concentrations of tornadoes. Around 1,200 tornadoes occur in the U.S. each year.

Remember that tornadoes can happen anywhere at any time of the year and at any time of day. There are times and locations that they are just more likely to occur. The peak “tornado season” for the central and southern Plains is late spring into early summer from May into early June. On the Gulf Coast, it is early spring. In the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, tornado season is in June or July.

Texas averages the highest number of tornadoes in the U.S. each year. The 25-year average (1997-2021) is 133 tornadoes. Tornado season occurs here from March to June.

Below are the average tornadoes for each state broken down by season, with “winter” being December, January and February; “spring” being March, April and May; “summer” being June, July and August; and “fall” being September, October and November.

Alabama – Typically sees four tornadoes in the winter, eight tornadoes in the spring, two tornadoes in the summer and five tornadoes in the fall.

Alaska – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

Arizona – Usually has zero tornadoes in the winter and spring months, with one tornado each in spring and fall.

Arkansas – Averages three tornadoes in winter, eight in spring, one in summer and three in fall.

California – Records one tornado in the winter, spring and summer seasons, but usually doesn’t see a tornado in fall.

Colorado – Doesn’t see a tornado in winter, with seven tornadoes in spring, nine in the summer and one in fall.

Connecticut – Typically averages one tornado in summer, with zero tornadoes in winter, spring and fall.

Delaware – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

Florida – Usually has 3 tornadoes in winter, four in spring, six in summer and four in fall.

Georgia – Typically observes three tornadoes in winter, five in spring, two in summer and three in fall.

Hawaii – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

Idaho – Usually sees a tornado in both spring and summer, with no tornadoes in winter or fall.

Illinois – Records typically two tornadoes in winter, 11 in spring, six in the summer and two in the fall.

Indiana – Has generally one tornado in winter, five in spring, three in summer and two in the fall

Iowa – Usually sees two tornadoes in winter, nine in spring, eight in summer and 2 in fall.

Kansas – Reports mainly one tornado in winter, 23 in spring, seven in summer and two in fall.

Kentucky – Usually has two tornadoes in winter, four in spring, one in summer and two in fall.

Louisiana – Usually reports four tornadoes in winter, six in spring, two in summer and four in fall.

Maine – Averages one tornado in summer, with no tornadoes in winter, spring or fall.

Maryland – Typically doesn’t see a tornado in winter, one tornado in spring, two in summer and one in fall.

Massachusetts – Usually records one tornado in summer, with no tornadoes in winter, spring or fall.

Michigan – Averages no tornadoes in winter, two in spring, three in summer and one in fall.

Minnesota – Has mainly one tornado in winter, four in spring, 11 in summer and two in fall.

Mississippi – Typically sees five tornadoes in winter, seven in spring, two in summer and five in fall.

Missouri – Records usually three tornadoes in winter, 11 in spring, three in summer and two in fall.

Montana – Averages two tornadoes in summer, with no tornadoes in winter, spring or fall.

Nebraska – Typically one tornado occurs in winter, with nine in spring, seven in summer and one in fall.

Nevada – Averages one tornado in summer, with no tornadoes in winter, spring or fall.

New Hampshire – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

New Jersey – Usually sees one tornado in both summer in fall, with no tornadoes in winter and spring.

New Mexico – Reports usually two tornadoes both in the spring and summer, with one in the fall and none in the winter.

New York – Typically doesn’t see any tornadoes in the winter, with one tornado in the spring, two in the summer and one in fall.

North Carolina – Generally averages one tornado in winter, five in spring, three in summer and three in fall.

North Dakota– Usually zero tornadoes in winter are followed by two tornadoes in spring, eight in summer and none again in fall.

Ohio – Mainly records zero tornadoes in winter, two in spring, three in summer and two in fall.

Oklahoma – Usually there is one tornado in winter, 22 in spring and then two in both summer and fall.

Oregon – Typically sees one tornado in both summer and fall, with no tornadoes in winter and spring.

Pennsylvania – Averages no tornadoes in winter, two in spring, three in summer and one in fall.

Rhode Island – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

South Carolina – Reports generally one tornado in winter, four in spring and then two in summer and fall.

South Dakota– No tornadoes typically occur in winter, with three in spring, six in summer and one in fall.

Tennessee – Mainly sees two tornadoes in winter and fall, with six in spring and one in summer.

Texas – The highest average across the U.S., with five in the winter, 40 in spring and then seven each in summer and fall.

Utah – Typically only sees a tornado in the fall.

Vermont – Averages zero tornadoes in all four seasons.

Virginia – Generally observes one tornado in winter, three in spring and fall and two in summer.

Washington – Usually only sees one tornado in the spring.

West Virginia – Usually only sees one tornado in the summer.

Wisconsin – Mainly records zero tornadoes in winter, two in spring, six in summer and one in fall.

Wyoming – Reports around 1 tornado in the spring and three in the summer.

While you may think a certain area or time protects you, it is important to remember that tornadoes can happen anywhere at any time. Be prepared to act if severe weather threatens your area. Know the difference between a watch and a warning, should any be issued. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather updates and alerts! This could include a weather app, local news channel, or a weather radio.

Source: SPC, NOAA
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Tornado in an open field in Kansas (Huntstyle via Shutterstock)

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