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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.

The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.

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Although tornadoes happen throughout the entire year, most occur during tornado season, along with thunderstorms, in the spring and summer months. Tornado season is extremely unpredictable, with the most violent tornadoes causing thousands of dollars in damage and resulting in deaths and injuries. Warmer weather and a shifting tornado zone this year are causing scientists to predict that the 2022 tornado season will spawn more tornadoes than previous years.

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can happen at any time of the year, but the ingredients for the most dangerous storms and damaging twisters come together most frequently in the Central and Southern U.S. during March, April, and May. 

A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. Because wind is invisible, it is hard to see a tornado unless it forms a condensation funnel made up of water droplets, dust and debris. Tornadoes can be among the most violent phenomena of all atmospheric storms we experience, according to the NOAA.

Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Illinois topped the list as the top five worst states for tornadoes. These states recorded the most tornadic activity in 2020, ranging from 127 in Mississippi to 71 in Illinois, as confirmed by the National Weather Service. You can learn more about the worst states in our content: The 10 Worst States for Tornadoes.

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), Tornado Alley states include: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas.

Movement can range from almost stationary to more than 60 mph. A typical tornado travels at around 10–20 miles per hour, according to the NOAA.

If you are able to, offer them shelter. You can also donate to victims through The Salvation Army or the Red Cross. If you would like to help victims of a specific tornado, check local relief organizations or do a web search to see if there are unique funds set up to help.

Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is important because there is a difference in the urgency of each alert. While a tornado watch means conditions are right for a tornado to form, a tornado warning means tornadoes have been spotted in the area. Regardless of whether a watch or warning is issued, it is important to be in a safe area away from windows where you are aware of your surroundings.

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when local conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. These conditions include an increased amount of low-level moisture, atmospheric instability, and a mechanism to “lift” the air. The size of the predicted tornadoes is contingent on the mix of conditions that are occurring. A tornado watch usually lasts between four and eight hours. This is a good time to review tornado safety and get to a safe place in case conditions worsen.

A tornado warning means that a tornado was sighted in the area or was seen on the weather radar. Warnings are issued by the local forecast office and encompass areas of a city or a small county. This means that the situation has escalated and is now dangerous to those nearby. It is important to practice tornado safety and move away from windows to an interior room on the bottom floor of a building away if possible. If you are outside, or in an unsturdy building such as a mobile home, it is best to seek a sturdy shelter to protect yourself.

Storms can be scary, especially when there is a possibility of tornadoes, but a little preparedness can help minimize stress and keep you and your family safe.

Identify a safe space in your home that is away from windows and doors. This spot should be on the lowest floor and as close to the middle as possible, away from exterior facing walls. States where tornadoes are more common will often have a designated storm shelter in the home or nearby. If you are in a mobile home, do not stay there if you are able to leave.

Making a plan is especially important because it can be difficult to stay calm during a tornado. Identifying a location and talking to children about the plan can be useful before storms occur so that everyone knows what to do.

Homeowners insurance protects you financially in the event that your home is damaged by a storm, including most tornadoes. It is important to make sure that your homeowners insurance is up-to-date so you are the most protected. You’ll also want to talk with your insurance agent to make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered by your policy. There are so many other aspects to worry about during a storm, you should not be worried about the financial responsibility of damages that occur.

With the increased number of predicted tornadoes this year, it is important to get a head start on learning best practices for preparing to take on the season. Thunderstorms can be annoying, but also dangerous when they take a turn for the worst and become tornadoes. The best way to protect yourself and your property from these storms is to make sure you have the proper tools and shelter, and make sure to stay up to date with the latest weather information, especially when it is overcast.

Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. Bankrate is compensated in exchange for featured placement of sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Bankrate.com does not include all companies or all available products.

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