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
Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.

Destructive Tornadoes, Hail Rip Through Central U.S.

After the Storm Prediction Center upgraded pa

12 Mar 2026 12:00 PM
Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released For 2026

Peak Cherry Blossom Forecast Released For 2026

Top Image Credit: National Parks ServiceSprin

12 Mar 2026 10:00 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
Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

Fire Weather Risk for the Plains Wednesday and Thursday

A strong ridge of high pressure building over

12 Mar 2026 2:10 AM
Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

Old Man Winter Roars in This Week

The relentless weather is going to continue i

12 Mar 2026 2:05 AM
Record-Breaking Heat Sweeps From Coast to Coast

Record-Breaking Heat Sweeps From Coast to Coast

The ridge of high pressure to the east has br

12 Mar 2026 2:00 AM
Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

Blizzard Warnings Issued for the Northwest

NORTHWEST - Blizzard warnings have been issue

11 Mar 2026 11:20 AM