The concept of "Tornado Alley" has fascinated researchers, meteorologists, and disaster preparedness coordinators since it was first coined by U.S. Air Force meteorologists in 1952. Particularly prevalent in the spring months, this infamous strip of land—central to the United States—is subject to numerous cyclones, often producing violent and destructive tornadoes. While traditionally associated with the Midwestern states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, and South Dakota, recent data indicates a gradual shift eastward.
The data we've sourced examines the average annual occurrences of tornadoes state-by-state, enabling us to make certain observations about tornado activity across the country.
Key findings from the data include: