700+ twisters: U.S. seeing most active tornado season since 2011
Several major outbreaks are responsible for the significant tornado count across the U.S. so far this year
The United States is the most tornado-prone country in the world—but this year’s destructive severe weather season has pushed the upper bounds of tornadic activity by this point in the year.
Meteorologists have received more than 900 preliminary reports of tornadoes so far in 2025, and experts have confirmed at least 700 of those twisters. This is the greatest tornado count through this point in the year since the historic outbreaks of 2011.
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More than 700 confirmed tornadoes so far in 2025
The U.S. Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received 951 tornado reports as of Wednesday, May 21, which is far ahead of the usual tally of 662 tornado reports they’d typically receive through the third week of May.
Tornado reports are considered preliminary until meteorologists can assess the damage and confirm that a tornado actually occurred. Multiple tornado reports can come in for the same tornado, and some reports turn out not to have been tornadoes at all.
The actual number of tornadoes confirmed through May 21 stands north of 725, which is a formidable total by the middle of the spring season. At least five of those twisters received EF-4 ratings, some of which packed estimated wind speeds greater than 300 km/h.
Multiple outbreaks killed dozens of people
More than 70 per cent of this year’s tornadoes in the U.S. touched down in just five outbreaks: two in March, two in April, and one so far in May. The most prolific outbreak between April 2 and April 7 produced more than 150 confirmed tornadoes.
For context, Canada's worst tornado outbreak on record produced 19 twisters on August 20, 2009.
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Tornadoes have killed at least 62 people across the U.S. so far in 2025. Most of the fatalities occurred in Kentucky and Missouri. The deadliest storm was an EF-4 twister that struck southeastern Kentucky on the evening of May 16, claiming at least 19 lives.
Tornado outbreaks are a common sight across the central and southern U.S. during the spring season. This year’s outbreaks were concentrated in and around the Mississippi River valley, fuelled by an active jet stream parked over the central U.S.
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