In 2024, the United States experienced a significant increase in tornado outbreaks, with a total of 1,762 tornadoes being recorded from January through November. These tornadoes were stronger and more destructive than usual, with particularly powerful tornadoes spawning from Hurricane Milton in October. This led to a significant year for severe weather, with tornado outbreaks ranking among the costliest weather and climate disasters of the year. In total, there were 24 weather disasters in 2024 that caused at least $1 billion in damage, and six of these were tornado outbreaks.
The outbreak of tornadoes throughout the year raised concerns about the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. While the connections between rising temperatures and events like heat waves or wildfires are well-established, researchers are still working to understand why 2024 was such an exceptional year for tornadoes. Unlike other types of severe weather, such as heat waves, tornadoes are still not fully understood in terms of their relationship with climate change. The occurrence of tornadoes can be influenced by atmospheric instability, which can be impacted by differences in temperature and air density.
Tornadoes are classified according to the Enhanced Fujita scale, ranging from EF-0 to EF-5 based on wind speeds and resulting damage. In 2024, a particularly devastating EF-4 tornado tore through Iowa, causing significant damage and contributing to the overall $4.9 billion in tornado-related damage for the year. Despite the destruction caused by tornado outbreaks in 2024, the number of fatalities remained relatively low compared to past years, with a total of 52 deaths reported.
Several tornado events in 2024 surprised experts, including a rare tornado in California and an increase in strong tropical tornadoes associated with hurricanes. Hurricane Milton, in particular, produced numerous destructive tornadoes across Florida, with some reaching EF-3 intensity. The influence of climate change on tornado formation and intensity remains unclear, with researchers still working to understand the complex interactions between atmospheric conditions and global warming. Some studies suggest that climate change may impact tornado formation by affecting atmospheric instability and wind shear.
As 2024 comes to a close, the possibility of more tornado outbreaks remains, as severe storms and tornadoes are still possible in certain regions of the country. While tornado activity has been relatively quiet in the last quarter of the year, it is not uncommon to see tornadoes, and even strong ones, in late December. With the ongoing challenges of understanding tornado science and its relationship to climate change, researchers continue to monitor and study these extreme weather events to better prepare for future outbreaks and mitigate their impacts.
