Beware Of March For Tornadoes, Especially Recently

What To Do When Severe Weather Strikes

March is when severe weather, including tornadoes, typically begins the spring ramp up. But the past few Marches have felt more like the peak of the year for severe thunderstorms across the U.S.

March 2025, A Record?

According to preliminary data from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, there were 300 reports of tornadoes last March, including those that were confirmed.

If the final tally is anywhere near 300, that's by far the most of any March in modern-era records dating to 1950. It's over three times the average since 2000 of 95 tornadoes, according to the SPC.

This huge number was from three outbreaks: early, middle and late March into April.

There were also over 2,000 reports of severe thunderstorm winds and wind damage received by the National Weather Service last March, a record for any March since 1950.

Not Just 2025

We can't just say 2025 was a one-off.

Three of the last four Marches have had at least 200 tornadoes in the U.S., and together they account for the three most tornadic Marches in 76 years of modern records.

March 2022 holds the current record for March twisters, with 234 confirmed. The following year had another 208 March tornadoes.

It's tempting to conclude there's an upward trend in March tornadoes looking at the graph below.

But while recent research suggests the classic "Tornado Alley" has shifted, better detection and documentation of weaker (EF0 or EF1) tornadoes in recent decades means overall tornado counts are higher than, say, the 1970s, a concept known as tornado inflation.

Why So Busy So Early?

That means an increased risk of severe thunderstorms.

Last year March had a combination of strong, southward jet-stream plunges pivoting out of the West and central U.S. and plentiful warm air, the nation's sixth warmest March in 131 years, according to NOAA.

Where March Threat Usually Is

As the map below shows, March severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can hammer areas farther north that still may have a winter storm mindset that early in spring.

However, the tornado threat in March tends to be highest in a corridor from the lower Mississippi Valley into the Tennessee Valley and Deep South. Texas (12) and Alabama (6) have averaged the most March tornadoes each year, according to NOAA.

The Ramp Up

Despite what we've seen recently, March is still typically a kick-off month before the spring severe weather peak.

Since 2000, the peak month of May has averaged almost three times the number of tornadoes as March.

But severe weather can strike anywhere and anytime the conditions are favorable, including March.

Knowing how to receive watches and warnings from the National Weather Service and where to seek safe shelter during severe weather can save your life. Check our our list of safety tips, here.

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.