2020 was a relatively average year overall by the numbers. However, there were anomalies within the overall average numbers. Most notable was the lack of strong and violent tornadoes during the May/June time period. This period of very few strong and violent tornadoes led to the first May without a moderate or high risk convective outlook issued and the fewest May tornado watches on record. Despite much below normal tornado activity in May and June, total tornado fatalities (76) were well above normal. 71 of these 76 fatalities occured from January 10 to April 22 with only 5 fatalities during the rest of the year.
2016-2020 Tornado Fatalities
1991-2020 Tornado Fatalities
2020 Report Summary
| Total Reports: | 21,878 |
| Most active severe month: | July |
| Most active hail month: | June |
| Most active tornado month: | April |
| Additional monthly and yearly report statistics can be found here. | |
Fewest May Tornado Watches on Record
There were only 10 tornado watches issued during the month of May. This was the fewest number of tornado watches issued in the month of May since records began in 1970.| Yearly May Tornado Watches | |
| Year | Watches |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| Top 5 Largest Watches | |||
| Rank | Date | Size (sq km) | Watch # |
| Top 5 Watch Count Days | ||
| Rank | Count | Date |
| Highest Daily Outlook Probability (2020) | |||
| # of Outlooks | Largest Risk Area | Jump to Day | |
General Statistics
- 356 days (97%) had thunder probabilities.
- 267 days (73%) had severe weather probabilities.
- 64 days (17%) had a maximum category of Enhanced or greater.
No Moderate or High Risk in May
There was no moderate or high risk issued in May for the first time in the history of SPC convective outlooks.
| Highest Daily Fire Outlook Probability (2020) | |||
| # of Outlooks | Largest Risk Area | Jump to Day | |
General Statistics
- 281 days (77%) had fire weather probabilities in 2020.
- 92 days (25%) had a maximum category of critical/scattered or greater.
Top Report Day - April 12
There were 1250 (filtered) reports on April 12. These reports came from multiple clusters of storms that formed along and ahead of a cold front associated with a strong (992mb) surface low moving through the Ohio Valley. Learn more about this event here.
Highest-Rated Tornado - EF4 (190 mph)
The highest wind speed damage estimates from a tornado in 2020 was 190 mph in Bassfield, Mississippi on April 12.
Additional info about the Bassfield, MS tornado and other tornadoes on April 12 can be found here.
Largest Hail - 5.33"
Strongest Thunderstorm Wind Gust - 145 mph
June 6 - Most Sig (75+ mph) Wind Gusts in a Day Since at Least 2004
| Top 5 Days by # of Sig Wind Gusts | |
| Date | # of 75+ mph wind gusts |
| 6/06/2020 | 47 |
| 6/29/2012 | 37 |
| 6/14/2014 | 30 |
| 6/30/2014 | 23 |
| 6/16/2017 | 23 |
Fewest Strong Tornadoes on Record in May and June
| Years with the Fewest Strong Tornadoes | |||||
| May | June | May+June | |||
| # of EF2+ Tornadoes | Year | # of EF2+ Tornadoes | Year | # of EF2+ Tornadoes | Year |
| 2 | 2020 | 0 | 2020 | 2 | 2020 |
| 5 | 2018 | 0 | 1993 | 13 | 2006 |
| 6 | 2005 | 3 | 2006 | 17 | 2002 |
| 8 | 1994 | 4 | 2002 | 17 | 2012 |
| 10 | 2006 | 4 | 1997 | 20 | 2018 |
|
Click below to change product type |
                               
|
|
Page comments and concerns can be relayed to Evan Bentley and Matt Mosier
|
NOAA /
National Weather Service National Centers for Environmental Prediction Storm Prediction Center 120 David L. Boren Blvd. Norman, OK 73072 U.S.A. spc.feedback@noaa.gov Page last modified: September 20 2021 22:01 UTC |
Disclaimer Information Quality Help Glossary |
Privacy Policy Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) About Us Career Opportunities |