Michigan Has Already Exceeded Its Yearly Tornado Average

When you think of Michigan, tornadoes aren't typically the thing that comes to mind. Snow, definitely. Beaches, you betcha. But tornadoes? Not common. That doesn't mean we don't get chaotic weather, but there are plenty of places in the US that get far more tornadoes than us (like the area in the Southern US known as Tornado Alley, the area with the most tornadoes in the entire world). 

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However, this year has been an anomaly. Already in the early days of Spring, Michigan has hit 16 tornadoes, matching its yearly tornado average, and we aren't even at the usual time of the year when the state tends to get these types of storms. So, how does this compare to the past, and what can we expect going forward?

⬇️VIEW MICHIGAN'S TOP 10 WORST TORNADOES⬇️

Michigan's Tornado History

Just because Michigan isn't known for tornadoes, the state still averages about 15 tornadoes a year, albeit these storms don't tend to be as severe as the ones in the south. Michigan hasn't seen an EF5 tornado since 1956, nor an EF4 since 1977. Even an EF3 hasn't touched ground since 1997. That doesn't mean these storms aren't still destructive, but they could be worse. In total, Michigan has seen 331 tornadoes since 1950.

Michigan's Peak Tornado Season

Most tornadoes occur during May, June, July, and August, so Michigan is already exceeding the average before peak season has started could mean we're in for an intense tornado season for the Mitten state. It should be noted that 13 of the tornadoes came from one storm at the end of March, but a storm of that magnitude is uncommon here.

READ MORE: Could Michigan Join Tornado Alley? Findings Show New Risks |

The total for this year remains to be seen, but a history of Michigan's tornadoes can be seen here.