2024 Tornado Count Surges as New York, Chicago, and Texas Hit Hard
The United States has experienced a dramatic increase in tornado activity in 2024, with devastating impacts felt in multiple states.
Midwest Mayhem: Chicago and Northern Illinois
Monday’s destructive derecho in the Chicago area spawned 12 confirmed tornadoes as of Wednesday evening, including 3 in the Rockford area. The Channahon tornado, upgraded to an EF2, unleashed 120 mph winds and left a 29-mile path of destruction, flipping trucks, downing transmission towers, and severely damaging homes. Overall, the Chicago area saw 19 tornadoes on Monday alone, contributing to a total of 25 tornadoes across the region from Sunday to Monday.
Hurricane Beryl Unleashes Twisters in New York
The remnants of Hurricane Beryl triggered an unusual outbreak of tornadoes in New York state in July. While Hurricane Ivan in 2004 holds the record for most tornadoes produced by a tropical system, Beryl’s impact on New York is notable. The state now has more tornadoes in July than tornado-prone states like Oklahoma and Iowa, and has experienced two of its top six days for most Tornado Warnings issued in a single day.
Texas Tornado Outbreak: A Record-Breaking Year
Texas, a state no stranger to tornadoes, is experiencing a particularly active 2024 season. As of June 14, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported a staggering 112 confirmed tornadoes in the Lone Star State. This number surpasses the previous year’s total and reflects a broader trend of increased tornado activity across the central United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and North Texas have been particularly hard-hit.
Oklahoma November 2024 Confirmed Tornado Count Now Up To 30
It has been the deadliest year for tornadoes in Oklahoma since 2013. (The tornado database goes back to 1950). There have been 144 confirmed tornadoes so far which is the 3rd highest count on record behind 2019 (149 tornadoes) and 1999. (145 tornadoes) April (56 tornadoes) and November (30 tornadoes) have both broken for those respective months.
There have been 8 fatalities with 5 of those occurring in mobile homes, and 1 each in a business, vehicle, and a home. 4 of those occurred on April 27 with nighttime tornadoes at Sulphur (EF3), Marietta (EF4), and Holdenville (EF3); on May 6 with the Barnsdall EF4 tornado; and 2 on May 25 with the Pryor EF3 tornado.
Of note: all of the fatalities occurred at night and 5 out of 8 (62.5%) in mobile homes.
Overall Tornado Count and Outlook for 2024
While an exact total count for 2024 is not yet available, the number of confirmed tornadoes is clearly on the rise. As of June 2024, the preliminary count stood at 1,250, the third-highest on record for the January-June period. NWS survey crews continue to assess damage and confirm reports, and the final tally is expected to climb even higher.
‘Twisters’ The Movie to touch down at theaters across the nation
The heightened tornado activity across the United States in 2024 has brought a sense of realism to the fictional events portrayed in the summer blockbuster “Twisters.” The film follows a group of storm chasers as they navigate treacherous conditions and confront the immense power of nature, offering a thrilling yet cautionary tale of the dangers and unpredictability of tornadoes.