After a record-setting number of tornadoes last year, 2025 has started off with a well above-average number of tornadoes thanks to the month of March and its near-record tornado count.
Based on a 25-year average from 1999 to 2023, March accounts for 95 tornadoes, which is the fifth-highest total on a per-month basis. March 2025 accounted for more than double that number, with at least 215 tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service. These numbers are preliminary and will be verified later in the year.
The usual hot spots for tornado formation during the spring were hit hard by multiple outbreaks during the month. However, a few states that rarely see severe weather in the spring saw tornadoes as well, including West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
The sheer number of tornadoes is notable, but the strength of these early spring tornadoes is also remarkable. Over the last three years (2022-2024), only three EF4 tornadoes were reported in March. This past March saw three EF4 tornadoes on its own. We also saw at least 11 EF3 tornadoes, which outpaces the average for a typical March over the last three years.
Severe weather outbreaks can span multiple states and multiple days, and this past March saw three separate multi-day and multi-state outbreaks.
The outbreaks from March 4-5, 14-16 and 30-31 were responsible for most of the tornadoes this past month, and also for the strongest of the tornadoes. The March 14-16 outbreak was particularly devastating as it saw all EF4s and EF3s reported during the month.
We've also had a very busy start to the month of April, with a widespread tornado outbreak the first two days of the month. Preliminary tornado reports have been scattered as National Weather Service offices that were hit hard on the 1st and 2nd deal with more severe weather. We may not have a handle on just how many tornadoes touched down across the country until later in April.
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