The United States has experienced a surge in tornadic activity this year, fueled by an active spring storm season and large hurricanes, AccuWeather reports. Over 1,750 preliminary tornado reports — about 400 more than the historical average — have been filed across 45 states, making 2024 the most active year for tornadoes in 13 years. However, it seems unlikely that 2024 will catch up with the 2,250 preliminary tornado reports recorded in 2011.

In a release, AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok described 2024 as “exceptionally active.”

The states hit hardest were those within what is traditionally known as Tornado Alley, with Texas, Nebraska and Iowa showing the highest number of preliminary reports. Illinois and Florida round out the top five states for tornadoes this year with 125 and 103 preliminary reports, respectively. Notably, Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio and New York have all issued more tornado warnings this year than in any year since 2002.

The number and location of tornadoes this year was driven in part by several hurricanes that have spawned particularly violent twisters. AccuWeather reports that Hurricanes Beryl, Debby, Helene and Milton alone produced 178 tornadoes. Only two seasons since 1995 have produced more hurricane-spawned tornadoes.

“Tropical storms and hurricanes can spin up destructive tornadoes. We saw that happen this year with Hurricane Milton in Florida,” Pastelok explained in the release. “Hurricane Beryl produced dozens of tornadoes from Texas all the way to upstate New York. This busy hurricane season really boosted the tornado numbers this year.”

Pastelok particularly emphasized the unusual increase in tornadic activity in Ohio. The state has seen 81 tornado reports in 2024 so far, with severe weather outbreaks on February 27, March 13, April 2 and May 7. In 2023, Ohio recorded just 60 preliminary tornado reports.

While 2024 is nearly at a close, AccuWeather warns that the second severe weather season is not yet over, though the window for conducive conditions for tornadoes should come to a close in the next couple of weeks. And while December tornadoes are rare, it is important to note that the risk still exists.

“We still have one or two more potential rounds of severe weather on the horizon that could spin up tornadoes, but the angle of the storm track will be coming in from a bit farther north. We’re losing the connection of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico,” Pastelok explained. “We may not see as many tornadoes in the next few weeks, but severe thunderstorms could still produce hail and damaging wind gusts.”

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