Tornado Facts and Records
Using Climatology Data to Understand Tornado Damage in United States
Understanding climatology data from past tornadoes helps meteorologists at the SPC determine when to issue tornado watches and alerts, in order to save lives.
Tornado Climatology
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), keeps tornado data and records in order to study tornado climatology. Tornado climatology data is important in predicting tornado occurrence, and helping to better understand tornado forecasting.
The SPC, located in Norman, Oklahoma, issues tornado watches when severe thunderstorms threaten and tornadoes are possible. The center tracks the occurrence of tornadoes, keeping detailed records of where and when the twisters hit. As tornadoes are classified by damage intensity, damage surveys are conducted in the field. When the SPC meteorologists are unable to conduct these surveys, weather spotter and media accounts are used.
Tornado data reaches the Storm Prediction Center from weather spotters, storm chasers and local NWS offices. The NWS tornado data is considered “preliminary” until all storm data has been received. Once the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) receives all tornado reports, then a Storm Data report is issued. After the publication of the Storm Data report, tornado reports are considered “final”.
Storm Events Searchable Database
The National Climatic Data Center, also a part of NOAA, complies a database of Storm Data reports. These reports are now available to the public as an online interactive searchable database arranged by state. Those interested can visit the NCDC website, and choose a state, to find various types of storm and climate data, from drought and precipitation to temperature extremes and tornado events.
Tornado records have been complied by the NCDC, from January 1950 to present. Those searching can limit search results to specific data such as:
- F-Scale, F0 – F5
- Hail size
- High wind speed
- Number of injuries
- Number of deaths
- Amount of property damage
- Amount of crop damage
NOAA and NCDC also organize tornado data in an annual summary. Yearly tornado numbers are used to compare the occurrence of tornadoes with past data, graphing trends. Only recently has improved tornado tracking helped improve the method of issuing tornado watches and warnings in a more timely manner.
Tornado Facts and Records
The following facts and records about tornadoes were made possible by dedicated tracking of data by the Storm Prediction Center and National Climatic Data Center:
- About 1,000 tornadoes hit the United States each year. However, this is not a genuine average, as many tornadoes go unseen or reported.
- The peak time of year for tornadoes is spring, between April and June. However, tornadoes can happen at any time, anywhere, if the conditions are right.
- On average, 60 people are killed by tornadoes each year, mainly due to flying debris.
- Oklahoma City has been hit by more tornadoes than any other city.
- John P. Finley was the first person to study tornadoes in the U.S, during the 1880s.
- T. Theodore "Ted" Fujita developed the F-Scale, or Fujita Tornado Scale, in 1971, used to categorize tornadoes based on wind speed and damage
- There is no world-wide system to track and record tornadoes, or even to compare data.
- El Niño, or La Niña does not directly cause increased tornado activity or intensity.
