In 2025, Tornado Alley has become almost everything east of the Rockies − and it’s been a violent year
A storm scientist explains what’s been driving deadly tornado outbreaks and how tornado season has been changing.
May 23, 2025 • ~9 min
A storm scientist explains what’s been driving deadly tornado outbreaks and how tornado season has been changing.
Engineers use giant fans in the Wall of Wind test facility to study the destructive ways these powerful winds can interact with tall buildings.
Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.
Rising global temperatures increase the risk of extreme downpours, as a climate scientist explains.
One long line of powerful winds can whip up dust storms, spread wildfires, spin up tornadoes and fuel blizzards – all at the same time across different states.
NOAA operates fleets of satellites, sensors on airplanes and ocean-going buoys, as well as radar, providing the data used by weather forecasters nationwide – and freely available to anyone.
The ocean is warming, providing ample fuel for destructive tornadic waterspouts.
Fire-produced thunderstorms and tornado-like fire whirls are more common than anyone realized, as high-resolution satellite images and data now show.
Fire-produced thunderstorms and tornado-like fire whirls are more common than anyone realized, as high-resolution satellite images and data now show.
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