Texas Weather: Tornado Season

Best weather to visit Texas

Tornado Season in Texas 2026

Beware of this dangerous weather. For the majority of people, it's a reason to stay away, but a great experience for the thrill seekers​

Best time: March–August

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Tornadoes occur with greatest frequency in the Red River Valley of North Texas. Tornadoes may occur in any month and at any hour of the day, but they occur with greatest frequency during the late spring and early summer months, and between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, but the largest amount can be found in the USA. Around 1,000 tornadoes hit the U.S. yearly from April to early June. "Tornado Alley" is a nickname for an area that stretches through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, east Colorado, Iowa, and Northern Texas where tornadoes occur. Compared with other states, Texas has the most frequent tornadoes, the highest numbers of deaths and injuries, and the greatest cost of damages. The greatest frequency of tornadoes is observed in the Red River Valley of North Texas. This phenomenon may happen at any time of the year, but the greatest chance to witness a tornado comes in the late spring or early summer.

Every year around 153 tornadoes take place here, usually in the afternoons. The average tornado runs with the speed of 40-64 km per hour. Winds inside a tornado can swirl at close to 150 km per hour. They stay on the ground for an average of just 4-5 minutes, but they can touch down several times. Tornadoes often form in the southwest as a part of thunderstorms. The average path of a tornado is 6.5 km long and 365 ​m wide but can be even 160 km long and a 1.6 km​ wide.

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External resourcesAsk a questionLast updated: May 6, 2021Authors: Olga Valchyshen

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