(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — The National Weather Service confirms Iowa has already recorded 72 tornadoes this year, putting the state far ahead of the 32 twisters confirmed during all of last year.
NWS meteorologist Brian Barjenbruch says that despite the tally, it’s actually been a relatively typical spring in terms of severe weather.
Iowa averages about 50 tornadoes per year. With half a year still ahead, the 72 confirmed so far compares heavily to this date in 2025, when Iowa had only seen five tornadoes.
Iowa set a state tornado record in 2024 with 125 touchdowns, topping the previous record of 120 set in 2004. Nearly 100 tornadoes occurred during April and May alone in 2024.
Illinois leads the nation’s tornado count so far this year, with 196 confirmed.
