2024 most active year for tornadoes since 2011

sNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – It’s been quiet regarding severe weather in the Midstate since spring. This is not the case in other parts of the country.

2024 will see the most tornadoes reported since 2011.(WSMV)

Although there have only been 15 tornadoes in Middle Tennessee so far in 2024, there have been a total of more than 1,750 in the country this year.

Why have there been so many tornadoes this year? A major contribution has been made by the number of tropical systems that have made landfall in the US this year.

Because Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Beryl, and Debby all made landfall, many tornadoes were spawned by those landfalls.

Tropical systems can produce tornadoes, especially to the right of the storm. You can read a full overview there here.

The right side of a tropical system is considered the 'Dirty Side' and brings most... — The right side of a tropical system is considered the ‘dirty side’ and has the most devastating effects.(WSMV)

Once a tropical system makes landfall, the combination of Earth’s friction and forward motion can locally increase wind shear, causing tornadoes.

Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida, spawned more than 125 tornadoes in the state of Florida. With multiple landfalling hurricanes this year, it’s not hard to see why the number of tornadoes would quickly increase.

The 1999 through 2023 average for tornadoes in the US is approximately 1,300 tornadoes. We have already had an above-average year and there is still more than a month left in the year.