Texas, Illinois, and Missouri Lead the Nation as 2025 Tornado Count Reaches 1,598 by Year’s End
ILLINOIS — The 2025 tornado season is closing out with 1,598 confirmed tornadoes across the United States, according to preliminary data, marking one of the most active years in recent memory. Illinois ranked second in the nation with 141 tornadoes, surpassed only by Texas, while Missouri also saw exceptionally high activity, placing third.
Texas Tops the List With 162 Tornadoes
Texas once again recorded the highest tornado count in the nation, ending the year with 162 tornadoes. The state’s large land area and frequent exposure to warm, unstable air masses make it highly prone to severe storms, and 2025 proved no exception. Meteorologists note that multiple early-season outbreaks and several late-year systems contributed to the elevated total.
Illinois Records 141 Tornadoes — Second Highest in the U.S.
Illinois followed closely behind Texas with 141 tornadoes, a number far above the state’s long-term average. Many of these tornadoes occurred during high-impact spring outbreaks, while additional clusters formed during summer heat-driven thunderstorms. The frequency and geographic spread of these events made 2025 a notably severe year for the Midwest.
Areas across central and northern Illinois saw repeated rounds of rotating thunderstorms, with several EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes contributing to the total. Despite the high activity, improvements in warning systems and community awareness helped reduce fatalities and injuries.
Missouri Finishes Third With 120 Tornadoes
Missouri reported 120 tornadoes, placing it firmly in the top three states nationwide. Meteorologists attribute the high number to a persistent pattern of warm, moist air clashing with strong upper-level disturbances across the region. The state experienced multiple multi-day severe weather episodes, adding significantly to its total.
Nationwide Tornado Landscape: A Broadly Active Season
Beyond the top three:
- Oklahoma: 105 tornadoes
- Kansas: 72 tornadoes
- Nebraska: 56 tornadoes
- Tennessee: 111 tornadoes
- Georgia: 72 tornadoes
- Florida: 25 tornadoes
Most states recorded at least some tornado activity, with only a handful seeing fewer than five events. The map associated with the report shows widespread tornado distribution, reflecting a season influenced by repeated storm systems sweeping across the central and eastern U.S.
Preliminary Numbers, With Final Count Still Pending
The total of 1,598 tornadoes includes data from January 1 through December 30 and may increase slightly as additional surveys are completed. Weather officials emphasize that the count is preliminary, but it clearly identifies 2025 as a significantly active tornado year. NapervilleLocal.com will continue monitoring final storm survey results as they are released.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.