2024 Tornado Season is setting records, especially this past month

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – This year has been extremely active so far with a record setting number of tornadoes across the country. The month of May with the highest number of tornadoes this year, which also sets a record.

Looking across the country, so far this year there have been a total of 1,035 tornadoes. Of that total, 57 tornadoes were EF 2 strength or greater. Right now, we are in 4th place for the highest number of tornadoes up to this date since record keeping began in 1950.

On average, the yearly country total is around 738 tornadoes up to the end of May. The most we’ve ever seen up to the end of May is 1,674 tornadoes back in the year 2011. This year sits in 4th place for the highest number of tornadoes up to this date since 1950.

The black like marks the average number of tornadoes each month, the red line is this year so far. Notice we were right around average for most of this year, other than the month of May. Over this past month, the number of tornadoes across the country spiked dramatically.
In just the month of May 2024, the country has seen 494 tornadoes, which is in 4th place for the highest number of tornadoes in any May since 1950. Plus, there are three days left until the end of this May. If we get another 18 tornadoes over the next 3 days, this will bump May 2024 into third place!

On average, New York sees around 10 tornadoes every year, the highest average is 146 tornadoes each year in Texas. Also, notice that on average every state sees at least one tornado every year, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The most tornadoes New York has ever seen in just one day is a total of 12. The highest daily total is 72 tornadoes in Tennessee, 70 in Kansas, and 66 in Texas and South Dakota.

Overall, looking ahead to the end of the year we are on track to be in the top 5 most active. However, we are entering the most active months of the year for tornadoes, May, June and July, which could set more records if we continue this trend. We will keep you updated!