So far in 2025, five tornadoes classified as EF4 have hit the U.S., with an additional pair verified after the major bout of harsh weather in mid-May. Violent storms such as these represent under 1% of all tornado occurrences this century. Given this information, where do you think this year’s tally stands relative to historical averages?
Big Picture
-Defining Violent Tornadoes:
Although every tornado poses risks, meteorologists use the term “violent” specifically for those receiving one of the top two rankings on the Fujita Scale.
Enhanced-Fujita scale
– It could be an EF4 or EF5 tornado. This is due to these most powerful twisters being able to cause extreme destruction, including tossing vehicles around, completely demolishing sturdy houses, and even clearing away foundation structures. Only a handful of tornadoes reach this level of intensity, with their maximum wind speeds estimated at 166 mph or greater.
-This Year’s EF4 Tornadoes:
Two hit northwestern Arkansas.
night of March 14
The next day revealed EF4 damage caused by a tornado that moved from Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, all the way to Covington County, Mississippi. On May 16, there were two EF4 tornadoes; one located south of Marion, Illinois, and another that wreaked havoc across portions of Pulaski and Laurel counties in southeastern Kentucky.
-Exceeding the 10-Year Mean
From 2015 to 2024, there were between zero and six EF4-rated tornadoes annually, with this year being toward the upper limit of occurrences within the last ten years. On average, around three such tornadoes occur yearly during that period, whereas in 2025, we’ve witnessed two more than that average.
Deeper Dive
-Two Outlier Years:
Gazing further into the past to when the
Enhanced Fujita scale
Since its implementation in early 2007, up to 23 violent tornadoes were recorded in 2011 and 13 in 2010. These exceptional years elevate the average to around 5 to 6 EF4 tornadoes annually over this period.
-Deadly Tornadoes Are Predominantly More Lethal
Between 2007 and 2024, this small percentage of tornadoes accounted for over fifty percent of all U.S. tornado fatalities. During that period, 828 individuals lost their lives due to EF4 or EF5 tornadoes, whereas only 649 died from all tornadoes classified as EF0 to EF3 collectively.
-Top States:
There shouldn’t be any shock about where severe tornadoes predominantly strike. Between 1950 and 2024, the traditional “Tornado Alley” states—Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa, and Kansas—in the Great Plains recorded the highest numbers of intense tornadoes. The frequency of these powerful storms extends further east into the Ohio River valley and southwards into regions like Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
More To Know
-No Major EF5 Tornadoes in Over Ten Years:
The last one to reach this rating hit Moore, Oklahoma,
In the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on May 20, 2013.
-Why So Long?:
A recent study
discovered this might be attributed largely to the stricter engineering standards of the Enhanced Fujita scale relative to those of the pre-2007 Fujita scale. Essentially, for a structure to receive an EF5 rating nowadays, it must have been constructed using methods that exceed typical building codes.
-An Example This Year:
The image beneath depicts a two-story house constructed in 2003 that was entirely obliterated by a tornado hitting south of Marion, Illinois, on May 16, 2025. Considering how little remains standing, one might instantly assume this storm would classify as an EF5.
According to the National Weather Service storm survey, “The severe tree truncation along with the standard building techniques used for the house suggests peak wind speeds of around 190 mph.” Given that the residence employed conventional construction practices, the destruction fell slightly shy of being classified as EF5, which involves gusts exceeding 200 mph.
Chris Dolce
He has served as a senior digital meteorologist at weather.com for almost 15 years, following the start of his career with The Weather Channel in the early 2000s.
Senior meteorologist
Jonathan Erdman
contributed to this report.
