Tornado tally in 2025 hits record high, surpassing decade peak

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) reported that by May 20, 2025, 922 tornado reports were registered in the United States. This is the highest number since 2011, exceeding the historical average of 641 reports.

According to AFP, four states stand out with particularly high numbers of tornado reports. Mississippi leads with 97 reports, followed by Illinois with 93, Missouri with 89, and Texas rounds out the top with 87 tornadoes.

The largest tornado series occurred in March and April. In the past week, another 161 cases were reported. From March 14-16, there were 182 reports; March 30-31 – 56; April 2-3 – 112; April 4-7 – 56; and May 15-16 – 77.

In recent weeks, tornadoes have swept through the states of Kentucky, Missouri, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas, causing many deaths and enormous destruction. In Kentucky, 18 people died, and the city of London was particularly affected by the disaster. Governor Andy Beshear emphasized that the situation is dramatic and the death toll may rise.

Experts explain that a tornado is an intense, rotating column of air that extends from the ground to storm clouds. It can reach a diameter of several hundred metres and wind speeds of up to 500 km/h. A whirlwind is a broader term that includes various types of air vortices, including tornadoes and waterspouts.

Preliminary analyses indicate extremely high tornado activity in 2025, which may match the most intense seasons in history. Final data, based on field research, will be available more than a year after the season ends.

Meanwhile, meteorologists from AccuWeather warn of further extreme weather phenomena. More than 60 million Americans may experience dangerous weather conditions, including tornadoes, flash floods, and hailstorms. Warnings cover the central and southern regions of the U.S.