2016 Tornado Count Trending Far Below Average – For Now

Brian Donegan
Published: July 21,2016
Here's some good news: the U.S. tornado count is running hundreds below the historical average so far this year.
According to NOAA, there have been 771 total tornadoes through July 18. By this time, there should have been 1,071 tornadoes spawned, based on 2005-2015 averages from preliminary National Weather Service local storm reports.
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Number of tornadoes so far in 2016, through July 18, compared to average (2005-2015).

Surprisingly, one of the worst tornado outbreaks of 2016 was back on Feb. 23-24. The preliminary tornado count for the two days was 70, according to Dr. Greg Forbes, severe weather expert for The Weather Channel. Those tornadoes impacted parts of the South and mid-Atlantic regions, and seven people were killed.
Although we are past the spring tornado season peak, there are still several months to go where we could see more activity.
If tropical storms or hurricanes make landfall this year, those could produce tornadoes. In addition, there is a "second season" peak in tornado activity in the fall, based on historical averages.

Average annual number of tornadoes by state, based on 1991-2010 averages.

Texas averages the most tornadoes, with 155 per year, based on 1991-2010 averages, according to NOAA. Rhode Island and Alaska average the fewest, with zero.
An average of 1,253 tornadoes occur each year in the United States (1991-2010), NOAA says.






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