No severe tornadoes hit the U.S. this May for first time on record
Matthew Cappucci
A large, destructive multi-vortex tornado tears through Selden, Kansas. (Matthew Cappucci)
Not a single higher-end tornado touched down in the United States in May, a first on record.
While the overall number of twisters was close to normal during the month, they were exclusively of the weaker or nonsevere variety, rated EF2 or lower on the 0 to 5 Enhanced Fujita scale for tornado damage. Severe tornadoes are considered those that reach EF3 strength or greater, corresponding to winds of 136 mph or greater.
May’s tornadoes largely missed homes and structure, yielding relatively little impact and sparing the country of any tornado fatalities for the first time during the month since 2014. The U.S. avoided tornado fatalities in May