This analysis is based on preliminary data available from the Storm Prediction Center. Final tornado counts published by the Storm Prediction Center and NCEI's Storm Events Database might differ from this report. For a more detailed climatology, please visit our tornado climatology page.

According to data from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, during May, there were 239 preliminary tornado reports. This is slightly less than the 1991-2010 average of 276 for the month. Two separate systems caused the majority of the tornado activity during the month. The first was associated with an upper level low that dug into the southwest, creating instability to its east. Over the course of four days (May 7th - May 10th) there were 88 preliminary tornado reports across the Southern Plains and Midwest. There were two tornado-related fatalities reported in Oklahoma during this time.

Later in the month, a strong cold front pushed across the middle of the country, spawning severe weather from the Dakotas to Texas. From May 22nd to May 24th there was a preliminary count of 94 tornadoes, one of which was rated an EF-4. This tornado was reported to be one-half mile wide and on the ground for 90 minutes. For January-May, there were 606 preliminary tornado reports, with the final count likely to be lower. The 1991-2010 January-May average is 792.

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Citing This Report

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Monthly Tornadoes Report for May 2016, published online June 2016, retrieved on March 29, 2024 from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/tornadoes/201605.