As the year continues, and with as many storms as have already come through the state, many Iowa residents may like to know how many severe weather systems there have been.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Craig Cogil says that when looking at severe weather, there have been more tornadoes than usual. He adds that on average for May, there are 11 tornadoes per year, but that this year came close to breaking the record. Cogil tells Raccoon Valley Radio the number so far for 2024.

“Up through the end of May here, we have seen 90 tornadoes so far in the state that have been confirmed. The number may still fluctuate just a little bit as some final analysis goes, but at least here through the 31st, we’re at 90.”

Cogil mentions that the month of April did see a record amount of tornadoes, with 45 recorded. He shares what is causing the increase in severe storms this year.

“So what we’ve seen this spring has been a really active jet stream that has been close to Iowa, and so that brings a lot of storms from the west and southwest into our area and provides the right conditions for tornadoes. You know, we haven’t seen that a lot here in the past several years, but this year it’s just the right setup, and we’re seeing a lot more tornadoes through this period, especially the spring.”

Cogil mentions that June is usually the month with the most tornadoes, with an average of 13. He shares that while the April record was broken this year, it was previously set in 2001 with 40. Cogil continues by sharing that the May record was set in 2004 with 57 tornadoes, and the record for tornadoes in June was set in 1984 and 2008 with 48.