With record-breaking July, where does 2024 rank as a tornado year in New York?

This has been a record-breaking July for tornadoes in New York, with 16 already confirmed statewide. Where does 2024 rank for the state and nationwide for tornadoes?

The 16 twisters in July alone puts New York well above its annual average of 8 tornadoes over the past 25 years. Dating back to 1950, there has been an average of roughly 7 tornadoes per year.

How many tornadoes have there been in New York this year?

There have been 18 tornadoes in New York this year, with one in February in Broome County and one in June in Herkimer County, in addition to the July twisters.

Despite the well-above-average year for tornadoes in New York, 2024 currently only ranks in a tie for fourth, based on records dating back to the mid-20th century. The years with the most Empire State tornadoes are:

• 1992: 25
• 1998: 23
• 2011: 23
• 2024: 18 (so far)
• 1989: 18
• 2003: 18

Has this been a bad year for tornadoes?

Overall, the United States is well ahead of its historical average yet well behind 2011, which was an incredibly active year for tornadoes. Through July 18 in 2011, there were 1,967 tornadoes; the average is 1,006 from 2010 to 2023.

So far this year there have been 1,441 twisters nationwide, eclipsing the annual average since 2010 of 1,355 for the full year.

An active tornado season was predicted by AccuWeather last winter, long-range meteorologist Paul Pastelok said in a statement.

“We’re barely halfway through the year; we expect to see more tornado threats during this hurricane season,” Pastelok said. “Another severe weather outbreak or two in the fall is also possible."

Where and when have the most tornadoes occurred this year?

The remnants of tropical cyclone Beryl spawned dozens of tornadoes between Texas and upstate New York, boosting the total count. Texas has led the way for total tornadoes with 146, followed by Nebraska and Iowa.

The most active month for tornadoes nationwide has been May with 571 tornado reports, including 31 at a possible Enhanced Fujita Scale rating of 2 or greater.

How many more tornadoes will New York see this year?

It's nigh impossible to know how many more tornadoes will occur in New York this year, but the 25-year average indicates there is not typically many later into the season. The averages for the remaining months from 1999 to 2023 are:

• August: 2
• September: 1
• October: 0
• November: 0
• December: 0

For the three years with more tornadoes for the year than 2024, here is how many tornadoes occurred after July 19:

• 1992: 8
• 1998: 1
• 2011: 14

Tornadoes in New York: A history of twisters

Since 1950, New York has experienced over 500 tornadoes, with the majority being relatively weak EF0 and EF1 twisters. However, the state has also seen a few significant tornado events, including the devastating tornado outbreak of May 31, 1985, which produced several powerful tornadoes, including an EF4 in Chenango County.

While tornadoes are less common in New York compared to regions like the Midwest, they remain a notable and occasionally destructive aspect of the state's weather history.

NY tornado database: See the state's worst twisters in history

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has tracked tornadoes in New York since 1950, providing data on their paths and impact.

This interactive map, featuring tornado data from January 1950, offers detailed information including damage estimates and any injuries or fatalities caused by recent tornadoes.

tornado database now.

— Steve Howe covers weather, climate and lake issues for the Democrat and Chronicle. An RIT graduate, he returned to Rochester after working around the state and in Utah. He plans to see the new movie "Twisters." Have a favorite weather movie? Tell him at showe@gannett.com.