JOHNSTON, Iowa — This spring season has been an active one, not only for Iowa, but the entire country - and we're just getting started.
On average, the U.S. sees about 1,200 tornadoes per year according to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory. As of June 10, the U.S. has seen more than 1,200, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy reports and the National Centers for Environmental Information.
In Iowa, we have seen 110 tornadoes so far this year. For context, our yearly average for tornadoes in Iowa is around 48 tornadoes. The most tornadoes we have seen in one year is 120, which happened back in 2004, and we are slowly nearing that spot.
Out of all the tornadoes we had this year, so far 22 of them were deadly. There is a total of 40 tornado related deaths this year.
The strongest tornadoes we have seen this year in the U.S. are three EF-4s, two in Oklahoma, and one in Iowa. The last time Iowa experienced an EF-4 tornado was March 31, 2023, when it hit Keota and Wellman, so it was over a year since we had a tornado that strong hit here.
Tornadoes can happen any time of the year, but the peak tornado season across the United States is around May to July. Iowa's peak tornado season is May to June.
January, February and March 2024
Iowa did not see any tornadoes during these months, but other states did, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
In January, there were 45 tornadoes reported across the US, which is slightly higher than average.
However, February saw 52 tornadoes, and March had around 66 tornadoes, which are both lower than average.
April 2024
The United States has seen more than 300 tornadoes in the month of April, making it the second most tornadoes in April on record.
These numbers are still preliminary, so the number could change a little. The most tornadoes the U.S. has seen in the month of April was 757 back in 2011.
Here in Iowa, we saw 40 tornadoes, and many of those happened during the tornado outbreak on April 26.
On average, Iowa experiences six tornadoes in April, and we are well past that number. In fact, this April is tied with April 2001 with most tornadoes seen in Iowa during the month of April!
During the tornado outbreak on April 26-27, the National Weather Service in Omaha issued 48 tornado warnings, which is the most the office has ever issued in a single day. The first EF-4 tornado of 2024 happened during this outbreak down in Oklahoma hitting the town of Marietta.
May 2024
So far in May, we have had 51 tornadoes touch down across the state. The above-average number of tornadoes is continuing this month and will most likely continue beyond.
For May, the average number of tornadoes we see in the state is around 12. The most tornadoes we have seen in the month of May is 57, which happened back in 2004, so we are nearing record territory.
As far as the US goes for May tornadoes, the average number of tornadoes is around 278, and the most tornadoes we have seen is 550 back in 2003. So far, we have seen around 400 tornadoes this month across the country.
The second EF-4 tornado of in Oklahoma happened on May 6, hitting Barnsdall and tracking through Bartlesville.
Many tornadoes touched down across the US within the first week of this month, which put us over the 800 mark for the number of tornadoes seen this year. This means we have seen more than half of our yearly tornado average as we get into the heart of tornado season.
On May 21, Iowa received more tornadoes across the state. There were at least 8 confirmed tornadoes that touched down that day. Three tornadoes were very strong and long lived.
The tornado that hit Greenfield, IA had five fatalities, making it the second deadliest tornado of 2024 so far. It's current rating is EF-4, making it the third EF-4 we have seen in the United States this year. This is still preliminary, so the rating could change.
The deadliest tornado of 2024 so far happened late May 25 down in North Texas in the Valley View area. There are unfortunately seven confirmed deaths. The damage is being surveyed, and four confirmed tornadoes touched down from one monster supercell. The Valley View tornado is an EF-3 for its preliminary rating.
June 2024
We have had at least 14 tornadoes in the state of Iowa, but we could see that number change as damage assessments are still being finished. Adding those tornadoes to Iowa's yearly count, we have now made it to the 100 mark. For Iowa, the average number of tornadoes we see in June is around 13, but the most tornadoes we have seen in the month of June is 48 which happened in 2008. For the rest of the country, the average is around 188 tornadoes in the month of June. The preliminary number for how many tornadoes the US saw this year for June is 131, so as a whole we came in below average. There was one deadly tornado in Michigan, but it was the only tornado death recorded for June.
July 2024
We already saw 2 tornadoes and we barely began the month of July. Those tornadoes were out in Eastern Iowa Tuesday July 2, in the evening hours. Those tornadoes brought our yearly count up to 110! That is nearly the top spot of most tornadoes seen in Iowa in a year's time. For the month of July, are average is around 7 tornadoes, so we have a chance to see a couple more before the month is over. The Des Moines metro saw another tornado this month on the 16th, and it was rated an EF-1.
Taking a look at the tornadoes across the US for July, Hurricane Beryl caused a tornado outbreak as it moved across the country. The NWS in Shreveport, LA said that they had to issue the most tornado warnings in a single day for that storm, which was 67, more than double the previous record holder. Hurricane Beryl roughly produced around 60 tornadoes as it made its way across the states. In fact, Hurricane Beryl produced the most tornadoes seen in the US than any tropical system in 19 years. On July 15th, at least 11 tornadoes touched down in the Chicago region, 2 of them being in the city limits. The average number of tornadoes for the US in July is around 119. Once some more preliminary numbers come out, we can come the average to this July. By now, we are already in the average tornadoes seen in the US per year, which is around 1,200.
Tornadoes aren't the only threat that is dangerous when it comes to severe storms. Large hail and high winds are also a concern. With the severe storms we have seen, quite a few of them produced hail up to three inches in diameter, which is just over the size of a baseball. The largest hailstone of 2024 so far fell in Johnson City, TX, measuring in at 6.25 inches! As far as wind, the US has seen three derechos this year, one in Texas, one in Iowa, and one that tracked through northern Illinois and Indiana. The one in Texas produced winds 100+ miles per hour, causing significant damage to the Houston area. On average, the US sees one to two derechos a year. The fact that we have seen three derechos already this year, on top of all the other severe weather, just shows how active weather has been this year.
With all the dangers that come with severe storms, make sure you stay weather aware this spring season to keep you and your loved ones safe from these serious storms when they head your way.