2 minute read • Graham Lumley • Last update June 2024
Tornado season in Texas typically runs from April to June. May historically is the peak month for tornado formation.
This time of year often has the perfect conditions for the formation of tornadoes:
Per the National Weather Service, tornadoes can actually form at almost any time of the year in southeast Texas thanks to the proximity of the Gulf of Mexico.
There are an average of 136 tornadoes per year according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Sitting in an active part of the Tornado Alley region, Texas is one of the most tornado-prone states in the U.S. Other states that have a high tornado activity are Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, and Nebraska.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), these are the worst tornadoes to have hit Texas since 1900.
| Tornado | Date | Category | Size | Death Toll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Waco Tornado | May 11, 1953 | F5 | .33 mile wide | 114 deaths, 597 injured |
| 2 | The Goliad Tornado | May 18, 1902 | F4 | .13 mile wide | 114 deaths, 250 injured |
| 3 | The Rocksprings Tornado | April 12, 1927 | F5 | 1 mile wide | 74 deaths, 205 injured |
| 4 | The Glazier-Higgins-Woodward Tornadoes | April 9, 1947 | N/A | 1-2 miles wide | 181 deaths, 970 injured |
| 5 | The Wichita Falls Tornado | April 10, 1979 | F4 | 1.5 miles wide | 42 deaths, 1,700 injured |
| 6 | The Frost Tornado | May 6, 1930 | F4 | N/A | 41 deaths, 200+ injured |
| 7 | The Karnes-Dewitt Tornado | May 6, 1930 | F4 | N/A | 36 deaths, 60 injured |
| 8 | The Zephyr Tornado | May 30, 1909 | F4 | N/A | 34 deaths, 70 injured |
| 9 | The Saragosa Tornado | May 22, 1987 | F4 | .5 miles wide | 30 deaths, 121 injured |
| 10 | The Jarrell Tornado | May 27, 1997 | F5 | N/A | 27 deaths, 12 injured |
According to the National Weather Service, the annual frequency of tornadoes in the United States has remained relatively constant throughout recorded history. Some data suggests that there has even been a slight decrease in EF4 and EF5 tornadoes.
At the same time, thanks to better tracking and prediction technology, the death toll from tornadoes across the nation has decreased significantly over the last 100 years. We’re better able to know when and where tornadoes will occur, which allows people to take cover and find safety before the tornado arrives.
