Yes.

Oklahoma experienced 22 tornadoes in March – 5.5 times the average number of March tornadoes since 1950 and 1.3 times the previous record of 17 tornadoes set in March of 1991.

Tornado activity in Oklahoma typically increases in March and peaks in May; 69% of all tornadoes in the state have occurred from March to May, and 40% have occurred in May alone.

2024 set a new record of 56 tornadoes in April, which is 4.5 times the April average, as well as an annual record of 152. There have been 59 tornadoes so far in 2026, which is also the annual average.

Though we do not fully understand tornado formation, Great Plains geography, which enables the collision of cold dry air from the north with warm moist air from the south, and the migration of the jetstream are essential factors in their creation and frequency in the region.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Oklahoma Watch partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims.

Sources

Support our publication

Every day we strive to produce journalism that matters — stories that strengthen accountability and transparency, provide value and resonate with readers like you.

This work is essential to a better-informed community and a healthy democracy. But it isn’t possible without your support.

Republish This Story

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.