Aug 07, 2024

Iowa's had a record 127 tornadoes so far this year, and the season isn't over yet

Posted Aug 07, 2024 4:30 PM

(Radio Iowa) - It's been a big year for bad weather in Iowa and state climatologist Justin Glisan says there's a new record in an undesirable category -- most tornadoes in a single year.

Glisan says we've had 127 tornadoes statewide, beating the record set in 2004 with 121 tornadoes. Tornadoes can strike during any month of the year, even during the wintertime. In 2021, Iowa had a record 63 tornadoes in a single day - in December.

That was during the state’s second derecho in as many years, and that December outbreak set another record for most EF-2 tornadoes in one day - at 21. Glisan says it's been a very active severe weather season, with hail, high winds, a derecho, and more than ten-dozen tornadoes.