Tornado Maps

An overview of the modern tornado record, 1950 through present (maps)

Tornado in Oklahoma, May 2015. (Sam Barricklow via Flickr)

Tornadoes have been documented throughout American history, but the modern database has a much shorter record. It’s only back to 1950 that we have regular data, and even the early part of this history is highly incomplete.

Partly built from cobbled-together news accounts and the subjective ratings that come with them, the tornado record is fraught with issues, but it also tells a bunch of stories. There are continued efforts to better judge tornado ferocity as well. Plus, let’s cut to the chase: any record is better than no record.

The stories of the tornado database follow a timeline of how tornadoes have been better observed as we near the present day. In addition to the maps for each year at bottom, let’s take a brief walk through the history in which the modern tornado record has resided, from 1950 to here.

In the 1950s there was a practical use of numerical weather prediction and development of computers. Forecasts were done by hand, on printed weather maps. By the 1960s, numerical weather prediction by computer began. The first successful weather satellite was launched, TIROS-7. On a 78-day mission, it relayed thousands of images showing large-scale cloud regimes, thus proving that satellites can provide useful information and surveillance of global weather from space. This satellite paved the way for the Nimbus Program, a NASA and NOAA collaboration for decades that advanced further research and use of satellite programs.

During the first 20 years of the database, tornado reports steadily grew as awareness grew. The Palm Sunday outbreak in 1965 has been attributed to some of the growth in awareness. Forty-seven tornadoes occurred on April 11th and 12th in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. They killed 271. In many ways, it was a generational tornado outbreak like 2011 despite its lower death toll. History is replete with big tornado events that bring discussion of their destructive force out of hiding.

Tornadoes by year. (Ian Livingston/ustornadoes.com)

In 1971, the Fujita scale was implemented. It was based primarily on the damage tornadoes caused to man-made structures and vegetation. Prior to F-Scale, tornadoes were rated based on newspaper and eyewitness accounts, including questionable personal accounts, rather than Storm Data descriptions. Tornadoes prior to 1971 were rated retroactively. In 1973, the Fujita scale was modified to take into account a tornado’s path length and width when classifying a tornado’s intensity.

The Mid-1970s also featured the first GOES satellite, which was launched into orbit in October of 1975. It was primarily used to aid in hurricane tracking, but with time has been integrated into severe weather forecasting. Also in 1975, the Tornado Intercept Project began, led by the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s Bob Davies-Jones.

Growth in the general interest of weather brought us The Weather Channel. In May of 1982 it began broadcasting around the clock, and provided more information during severe weather outbreaks.

In 1988, the WSR-88D (NEXRAD) Doppler radar system was given a green light for production. The installation of the first operational prototype was completed in the fall of 1990 in Norman, Oklahoma, while its first operational use in everyday forecasting occurred in 1992 in Sterling, Virginia.

This system is a network of 159 high-resolution S-band Doppler weather radars. The revolutionary radar can properly visualize precipitation and wind. Tornado counts significantly increased following this advancement in technology, as radar was now able to detect when and where strong winds occurred without eyewitness accounts.

Composite radar imagery of a long-track tornadic supercell on April 27, 2011. (Brian Tang/NCAR)

Additional major modernization of the National Weather Service (including ASOS, new satellites, and next generation computer system forecasting) occurred during this period as well. This set the stage for better forecasts, more accurate warnings for severe weather, and further research into the formation of tornadoes.

The nationwide network of Doppler radars was completed by the mid-1990s. During this process, Doppler velocity was incorporated, further improving tornado prediction ability by detecting any rotation present in a storm at different scan angles. Volumetric scans also became available allowing further investigation of storms on radar and providing detailed wind information.

Twister also hit the scene in the 1990s. The movie was undoubtedly a cause for increased storm chasing in the years and decades ahead. This was later enhanced by shows such as Discovery’s Storm Chasers.

The 2000s have brought a multitude of advancements, including additional tornado detection abilities in radar via the dual polarization upgrade. An example of developments in private enterprise include the addition of Spotter Network in 2006. It uses GPS for more accurate locations and automatic positioning for spotters and chasers who relay information to those issuing warnings. The official NWS storm spotter network continues to grow, and there have never been more storm chasers. Eyes on storms are at an all-time high.

Finally, in 2007 the Enhanced Fujita Scale replaced the original Fujita Scale. It is of similar design to the F-Scale, but those who developed it believe it more accurately matches wind speeds to severity of damage caused by a tornado. The EF-Scale was formulated thanks to research that suggested the wind speeds required to cause damage per the Fujita Scale were greatly overestimated. The EF-Scale also improved damage parameter descriptions.

As the science continues to become better and better, it is worth keeping in mind how quickly things have changed over the modern history. Despite advancements, it is possible there are still many tornadoes that are not detected. While we have a good idea of the ceilings, with big years like 2011 and 2008 behind us, there is still much we don’t know.

Annual touch down maps, 1950-2016

2010s

Tornadoes of 2016
Tornadoes of 2015
Tornadoes of 2014
Tornadoes of 2013
Tornadoes of 2012
Tornadoes of 2011
Tornadoes of 2010

2000s

Tornadoes of 2009
Tornadoes of 2008
Tornadoes of 2007
Tornadoes of 2006
Tornadoes of 2005
Tornadoes of 2004
Tornadoes of 2003
Tornadoes of 2002
Tornadoes of 2001
Tornadoes of 2000

1990s

Tornadoes of 1999
Tornadoes of 1998
Tornadoes of 1997
Tornadoes of 1996
Tornadoes of 1995
Tornadoes of 1994
Tornadoes of 1993
Tornadoes of 1992
Tornadoes of 1991
Tornadoes of 1990

1980s

Tornadoes of 1989
Tornadoes of 1988
Tornadoes of 1987
Tornadoes of 1986
Tornadoes of 1985
Tornadoes of 1984
Tornadoes of 1983
Tornadoes of 1982
Tornadoes of 1981
Tornadoes of 1980

1970s

Tornadoes of 1979
Tornadoes of 1978
Tornadoes of 1977
Tornadoes of 1976
Tornadoes of 1975
Tornadoes of 1974
Tornadoes of 1973
Tornadoes of 1972
Tornadoes of 1971
Tornadoes of 1970

1960s

Tornadoes of 1969
Tornadoes of 1968
Tornadoes of 1967
Tornadoes of 1966
Tornadoes of 1965
Tornadoes of 1964
Tornadoes of 1963
Tornadoes of 1962
Tornadoes of 1961
Tornadoes of 1960

1950s

Tornadoes of 1959
Tornadoes of 1958
Tornadoes of 1957
Tornadoes of 1956
Tornadoes of 1955
Tornadoes of 1954
Tornadoes of 1953
Tornadoes of 1952
Tornadoes of 1951
Tornadoes of 1950

Tornado counts 1950 -2016

Top 5 years

2004 – 1,817
2011 – 1,691
2008 – 1,688
1998 – 1,424
2003 – 1,374

Top 5 Years with most Violent Tornadoes (F/EF 4/5) 626 total

1974 – 38
1965 – 31
1957 – 26
1953 – 22
2011 – 22

Top 5 deadliest years – Total Tornado Deaths: 5,845

2011 – 553
1953 – 523
1974 – 366
1965 – 301
1952 – 230

Tornado records are released in the spring following the end of each year. We will continue to update this post as new data is released. The 2016 data is expected imminently. All data via the Storm Prediction Center.

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Katie Wheatley

Katie currently works as a GIS Analyst for EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., PBC in Hunt Valley, Maryland. See full bio.
Katie Wheatley

Katie currently works as a GIS Analyst for EA Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc., PBC in Hunt Valley, Maryland. See full bio.

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Katie Wheatley

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