When is tornado season in Iowa? See what forecasters expect this year

Stormy weather may be ahead, folks.

Over the past two years, Iowa has seen the two extremes of tornado season. A record-setting 125 tornadoes occurred in 2024. But in 2025, just 32 tornadoes were recorded, a number well below average.

Iowa typically averages around 50 tornadoes a year, according to a National Weather Service summary by meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff.

Here’s what to expect for 2026’s tornado season.

What’s the forecast for tornadoes in Iowa in 2026?

The atmosphere in Iowa will favor thunderstorms more than tornadoes due to the quick exit of La Niña, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

“Cooler air will likely limit severe weather farther in the northern Plains and Midwest until late April and May,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus.

But as spring progresses, tornado activity will increase in Iowa and surrounding states.

Long-range forecasters predict 1,050 to 1,250 tornadoes across the United States this year, which would be in line with historical averages.

When is tornado season in Iowa?

Tornado season usually peaks in June or July in the upper Midwest, including Iowa, the Dakotas, Nebraska and Minnesota, according to the National Weather Service.

AccuWeather’s forecast calls for the highest tornadic activity in Iowa to occur in April and May.

For Iowa, July 2025 was the busiest time of year for tornadoes, surpassing April and May.

Even though tornadoes can happen any time of the year or at any time of day, they often occur between 4 and 9 p.m.

How many tornadoes hit Iowa in 2025?

Iowa saw 32 tornadoes in 2025. The state saw the most tornadoes in a day on July 11, when 12 tornadoes occurred.

How many tornadoes hit Iowa in 2024?

In contrast to 2025, Iowa saw 125 tornadoes in 2024, making it a record year. In April and May alone, there were 98 tornadoes recorded.

On April 16, there were 18 tornadoes in a single day across the state. April 2024 saw 49 tornadoes. This beat the previous record set in 2001 of 40 tornadoes in April.

How do you stay safe during a tornado?

What you need to know to stay safe during a tornado

Advice from the National Weather Service on how to stay safe during a tornado

During a tornado, the National Weather Service recommends:

• Get as low as possible. A basement below ground level or the lowest floor of a building offers the greatest safety.
• Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.
• Avoid windows.

Remember, tornadoes can move across hills and even bodies of water, so always seek shelter if one is nearby – your elevation or proximity to water are not natural sources of protection.

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text.

Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.