Illinois is leading the U.S. in tornado reports so far this year, with reports tracking well above their usual average.
As of May 31, Illinois had recorded 121 tornado reports. The state usually has about 44 tornado reports each spring.
It's not the only state seeing more tornadoes than usual. Mississippi had the second highest number of tornado reports at 82, which is 34 reports above average. Wisconsin had 36 reports, 21 reports higher than average. Iowa (51 reports) and Michigan (20 reports) also saw above average tornado activity.
Classic "Tornado Alley" states like Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas are trending well below average. Oklahoma recorded just two tornadoes in May, the least active May since 2012. Texas, at 48 tornado reports, is down 49 reports from its average.
"The jet stream plays a large role in organizing severe weather in the spring," said Alexander Duffus, an AccuWeather meteorologist, in a statement. "This year, its average position through March and April was centered more over the Midwest than the southern Plains."
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