May 2003 Tornado Statistics

 

 

May 2003 will go down into the record books for tornadoes in very many different ways. Listed are the statistics for May 2003 as entered by National Weather Service Forecast Offices (WFOs) in Storm Data. A map of all May 2003 tornadoes is available here. [NOTE: paths may cross or blend together on such a large map scale.]

 

Largest Number of Tornadoes for any month since 1950:

1. May 2003 542

2. June 1992 399

3. May 1995 391

4. June 1998 376

5. May 1991 335

6. May 1982 329

6. June 1990 329

7. June 1993 313

8. May 1998 310

8. May 1999 310

9. June 1999 289

10. May 1965 273

 

The month knocked April 1974 out of the top 10.

 

Largest Number of Tornadoes for any May since 1950:

1. 2003 542

2. 1995 391

3. 1991 335

4. 1982 329

5. 1998 310

5. 1999 310

 

Deadliest Mays on record since 1950:

1. 1953 163 fatalities

2. 1955 106

3. 1957 87

4. 1985 78

5. 1968 72

6. 1999 53

7. 2003 38

 

Number of Tornadoes in the first 12 days of any month

1. May 2003 379

2. June 1999 196

3. April 1974 195

4. May 1999 194

5. June 1990 189

6. June 1989 178

7. June 1995 174

8. June 1993 157

9. June 2001 153

10. May 1993 136

 

Number of Tornadoes in the first 12 days in May

1. 2003 379

2. 1999 194

3. 1993 136

4. 2002 134

5. 1995 126

States that set records for Number of Tornadoes in a Month

1. Illinois 74 tornadoes previous record 54 tornadoes in May 1995

2. Missouri 71 tornadoes previous record 29 tornadoes in December 1982

 

Tornadoes by WFO in May

1. ILX (Lincoln IL) 40

2. SGF (Springfield MO) 38

3. LZK (Little Rock AR) 36

4. PAH (Paducah KY) 34

5. AMA (Amarillo TX) 28

6. OUN (Norman OK) 27

7. EAX (Pleasant Hill MO) 23

8. TSA (Tulsa OK) 20

9. OHX (Nashville TN) 18

10. ICT (Wichita KS) 16

 

Tornadoes by WFO May 4-11, 2003

1. SGF (Springfield MO) 38

2. PAH (Paducah KY) 34

3. EAX (Pleasant Hill MO) 23

4. ILX (Lincoln IL) 19

4. OUN (Norman OK) 19

5. OHX (Nashville TN) 18

6. ICT (Wichita KS) 16

7. LSX (St. Charles MO) 15

8. MEG (Memphis TN) 12

8. TOP (Topeka KS) 12

 

Updated February 24, 2005

by Roger Edwards and Dan McCarthy (SPC)