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.
Between 1991 and 2020, an average of 1,333 tornadoes were documented across the country each year, of which more than half – 54% – occurred between April and June.
Looking back on history, May is typically the most active month for tornadoes, averaging 294 each year. That’s followed by April and June, each with an average of 212 tornadoes.
But remember – these are just averages based on a 30-year period, and the weather doesn’t always follow what’s considered to be average.
Different weather patterns that set up each spring can cause the number of twisters between April and June to be significantly greater or much fewer than the 718 tornadoes that are typical during those three months.
