Could Indiana See a Record Breaking Year for Tornadoes? We’re Already Halfway There
Of all the records the Hoosier State could break, this is not a good one.
Severe Weather
Here in the Midwest, we are not strangers to severe weather. Just in 2025 so far (mind you, it's only April), we've already seen more than our fair share of severe weather. Due to the strong storms we've had just in the past couple of weeks, I recently purchased an NOAA weather radio because I want to make sure that if we have a tornado warning, my husband and I will hear it. If you don't have a weather radio, I encourage you to consider getting one. It's a great way to make sure you do not miss an urgent alert.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more about weather radios and where to get yours here.
Indiana Averages 22 Tornadoes a Year
One of the biggest concerns many have with severe weather is the strong winds and potential for tornadoes, as both of these things can cause significant damage, injuries, and even loss of life.
In the Midwest, we are no strangers to getting a tornado warning and having to hunker down in our tornado safe spaces. According to the National Weather Service, on average sees about 22 tornadoes a year across the state. However, we have already nearly doubled that number for 2025.
In April 2025, Indiana Has Nearly Doubled the Tornado Average for the Year
If the average number of tornadoes Indiana sees in a year is 22, we're well on our way to doubling that number. Currently (as of April 11th), we have already seen 43 confirmed tornadoes this year.
Recently, I saw a post from Meteorologist Matt Standridge from WTHR from April 9th that said this year has had our fastest start for tornadoes in the Hoosier State since 1950.
Tornado surveys are complete. It took longer with the flooding. Indiana got 20 tornadoes last Wednesday (Apr 2).
Additional tornadoes were confirmed for Madison and Delaware Counties, as well as a few more in southern Indiana.Today we received word of an EF-1 tornado for New Albany, Indiana.Folks, that puts us at 42 tornadoes for Indiana for 2025 so far. This is our fastest start for tornadoes since 1950.
On average we get about 25 tornadoes a year. We are approaching double that before we are even halfway through the spring storm season, let alone the fall storm season.
What is the Most Tornadoes Indiana Has Seen in a Single Year?
- In a Single Year: 72 in 2011
- In a Single Month: 44 in June 1990
- In a Single Day: 37 on June 2, 1990
Most Intense:
- Three F5 tornadoes occurred within the April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak, all in far southern Indiana...
- Crossed 6 Indiana counties from Perry to Scott, killing 6 and injuring 86 others
- Crossed from Kentucky (where it killed 31) into Harrison County (no casualties)
- Crossed from Ohio County, Indiana (no casualties) into Kentucky and Ohio, injuring 210
The National WEather service has a ton of interesting tornado facts, you can read them all, here. Remember, preparedness is key. Have. a safety plan in place so in the event of an emergency, you know what to do.
KEEP READING: What to do after a tornado strikes
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