In 2024, when every state in the contiguous U.S. experienced a tornado except for Nevada, Vermont and Maine. (Credit: Dan Ross/Adobe Stock)

The United States experienced the second-highest number of tornadoes recorded in a single year in 2024 with 1,855 confirmed twisters, and 2025 looks to be another active year. With the arrival of Spring comes a kick-up of severe weather activity, and Accuweather predicts that areas outside of the traditional tornado alley may continue to take the brunt of these brutal storms.

They attribute this shift in tornado alley to high pressure centered in the Southwest that could limit thunderstorms in the Plains. This, combined with unusually warm Gulf waters, has the potential to drive severe storms and tornadoes in the Mississippi Valley.

While severe weather will inevitably make its way to the Plains later in spring, AccuWeather Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok stated in the website’s forecast that his primary area of concern for severe weather are the Mississippi, Tennessee and western Ohio Valleys.

This expansion of the threat area for tornadoes was evident in 2024, when every state in the contiguous U.S. experienced a tornado except for Nevada, Vermont and Maine.

How many tornadoes will we see in 2025?

Accuweather expects thunderstorms to become even more widespread across the U.S. in May, when the weather pattern will shift to allow for more activity in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and across traditional tornado alley. Derechos will be an increasing threat from late spring into the summer months.

However, they expect this year will see fewer twisters than 2024. In total, Accuweather predicts 2025 will see between 1,300 and 1,450 tornadoes, including 75 to 100 in March, 200 to 300 in April, 250 to 350 in May.

Preparing for tornado season

Now is the time to begin making preparations for the possibility of severe weather. Ready.gov recommends the following tips for ensuring you aren’t caught off-guard by a twister.

  • Know your area’s tornado risk.
  • Know the signs of an approaching tornado. This includes rotating, funnel-shaped clouds, an approaching debris cloud or a roaring that many compare to the sound of a train.
  • Sign up for your community’s emergency warning system if one is in place.
  • Pay attention to weather reports.
  • Identify your safe shelter and practice getting there. If you don’t have a designated storm shelter, the best place to hunker down is in a small, interior room with no windows on the lowest level of your home.
  • Make a plan for your pet so they can also make it through storms safely, as well.
  • Prepare to shelter in place for an extended period of time by gathering medical and cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, water and necessary medication.

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