Tornadoes are among the most violent storms nature can create. Spawned from powerful thunderstorms, they strike quickly and can cause fatalities and destroy neighborhoods in seconds. During April through June, Missouri is usually considered to be in tornado season.
According to data from the National Weather Service, an average of once every two years a tornado hits St. Louis County, although there are many more severe storms in the area than tornadoes.
While the answer to that question is difficult to determine, an analysis of historical records shows a high frequency of tornadoes in St. Louis County from 1950 through 2021.
A large number of tornadoes typically occur during April and May, with a second smaller “peak” occurring near the end of the year. This is similar to the trend in most central states.
When a tornado appears, it will appear as a funnel-shaped cloud that extends from a thunderstorm into the sky. It will be spinning and have whirling winds that can reach 300 miles per hour.
During tornado season, it is critical to keep up with the latest weather forecasts. Sign up for weather alerts and listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or your local TV news station.
