Iowa has already experienced 72 confirmed tornadoes in 2026, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), surpassing last year’s total of 32 tornadoes by a wide margin.
While the number may seem high, weather officials say the state has experienced a fairly typical severe weather season. Most of this year’s tornadoes have been rated EF0 or EF1, which are the weakest and most common tornadoes seen across Iowa.
On average, Iowa records about 50 tornadoes each year. By this point in 2025, however, only five tornadoes had been confirmed, making last year an unusually quiet season.
The state’s all-time tornado record was set in 2024 when 125 tornadoes touched down across Iowa, breaking the previous record of 120 set in 2004. During April and May of 2004 alone, Iowa recorded 98 tornadoes.
Nationwide, Illinois currently leads the country with 196 confirmed tornadoes so far this year.
