Last year, there were 1,269 preliminary confirmed tornadoes in the U.S., which is the 12th most on record (1950-2023) and greater than the 10-year average (1,155), according to the “Year In Review” by the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center.
March 31 had the third most tornadoes on record (138) and 44 strong tornadoes, including 11 EF3 and 1 EF4 tornado.
The summer of 2023 boasted the greatest number of June to August tornadoes since 2008, the most July to September wind reports, and set monthly records for the most 2-plus-inch diameter hail in June and July, the U.S. weather service said.
The period between September to December remained quiet with the fewest tornado counts since 1999.
There were 74 days of Enhanced (Level 3 of 5) risk in 2023, the most since Enhanced was added in fall 2014.