May Tornado Count Nearly Double Average

news image
Special Stories
1 Jun 2019 4:57 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgXWnKI6us&feature=youtu.be Tornado after tornado struck the U.S. this May, creating a wild month of extreme weather. In total, over five hundred twisters were reported - nearly double the climatological average. An active jet stream combined with plentiful moisture in the Plains and Midwest created a volatile atmosphere, fueling the increased storms. Activity peaked in the last two weeks of May where over 400 tornadoes were reported. https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1134248125130952704 It wasn’t just the frequency of tornadoes that took the country by storm but also the intensity of these powerful twisters. Two rare, EF-4 tornadoes, packing winds of over 170 miles per hour, wreaked havoc in the Midwest. Dayton, Ohio took a direct hit from one of these violent, tornadic storms, triggering the National Weather Service to issue a tornado emergency for over half a million people. Remarkably, no one was killed. The second EF-4 tornado spun up south of Lawrence, Kansas, decimating the town of Linwood. Storm Prediction Center Severe Storm Reports By Type Tornadic supercells also packed large hail and powerful winds, ravaging communities from the Great Plains to the Northeast. The month of May brought more than 1300 reports of large hail and 2200 reports of damaging winds. For the year as a whole, wind gust reports are nearly a thousand above average. However, hail reports are about 800 below the trend. With June getting off to an active start, be sure to stay with us at WeatherNation for a detailed forecast.
All Weather News
More
Blizzard Warnings Issued, Heavy Snow Targets the Midwest

Blizzard Warnings Issued, Heavy Snow Targets the Midwest

After severe storms slammed the Midwest earli

15 Mar 2026 2:15 PM
Severe Storms Return, Damaging Winds & Tornadoes Expected

Severe Storms Return, Damaging Winds & Tornadoes Expected

Another intense storm system is developing as

15 Mar 2026 2:15 PM
Record Smashing Heat Builds Out West

Record Smashing Heat Builds Out West

A heatwave is coming to the West. A surge of

15 Mar 2026 2:10 PM
Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings Persist

Nebraska Records Biggest Fire Ever as Red Flag Warnings Persist

A strong ridge of high pressure building over

15 Mar 2026 10:45 AM
Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released for 2026

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

14 Mar 2026 8:55 AM
Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail From Multi-Day Severe Outbreak

Severe storms have finally moves offshore aft

13 Mar 2026 2:10 AM
Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

Significant Severe Weather Threatens Again Wednesday

On the heels of an active opening week to Met

12 Mar 2026 2:30 AM