Tornadoes in North America

Magnitude, Fatalities, Injuries, and Crop Loss Data

By Homeland Infrastructure Foundation [source]

About this dataset

This dataset compiles historical data on tornadoes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands – providing a critical resource to researchers and policy-makers alike. Obtained from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC), it contains an intricate wealth of information that sheds light onto patterns of tornado outbreaks across time & geographical space yielding insights into factors like magnitude, fatalities/injuries caused and losses incurred by these devastating weather disasters. With attributes such as Start Longitude/Latitude, End Longitude/Latitude, Day of Origin & Time Zone – this dataset will enable a comprehensive analysis of changes over time in regards to both intensity & frequency for those interested in studying climate change and its impact on extreme weather events such as tornadoes. For disaster management personnel dealing with natural hazards like floods or hurricanes - a familiarity with this dataset can help identify areas prone to frequent storms - thereby empowering proactive measures towards their mitigation.*

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How to use the dataset

This dataset contains historical tornado tracks in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The data was obtained from the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center (SPC). It includes thirty-seven columns of statistics which you can use to analyze when, where, and how frequently tornadoes occur in North America over time.

Research Ideas

• Creating a tornado watch and warning system using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to track and predict the path of dangerous storms.
• Developing an insurance system that gives detailed information on historical data related to natural disasters including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc., in order to better assess risk levels for insuring homes and businesses in vulnerable areas.
• Developing an app that provides real-time notifications for potential tornadoes by utilizing the dataset's coordinates and forecasting data from the National Weather Service (NWS). The app could even provide shelter locations near users based on their current location ensuring that people are aware of potential active threats nearby them quickly increasing safety levels as much as possible when these hazardous events occur

Acknowledgements

If you use this dataset in your research, please credit the original authors. Data Source

License

License: Dataset copyright by authors - You are free to: - Share - copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially. - Adapt - remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. - You must: - Give appropriate credit - Provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. - ShareAlike - You must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original. - Keep intact - all notices that refer to this license, including copyright notices.

Columns

File: Historical_Tornado_Tracks.csv | Column name | Description | |:--------------|:-------------------------------------| | OM | Origin Mode (Point or Line) (String) | | YR | Year (Integer) | | MO | Month (Integer) | | DY | Day (Integer) | | DATE | Date (String) | | TIME | Time (String) | | TZ | Time Zone (String) | | ST | State (String) | | STF | FIPS State Code (String) | | STN | State Name (String) | | MAG | Magnitude (Integer) | | INJ | Injuries (Integer) | | FAT | Fatalities (Integer) | | LOSS | Loss (Integer) | | CLOSS | Crop Loss (Integer) | | SLAT | Starting Latitude (Float) | | SLON | Starting Longitude (Float) | | ELAT | Ending Latitude (Float) | | ELON | Ending Longitude (Float) | | LEN | Length of Track (Float) ...

Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market size reached USD 1.17 billion in 2024, with a robust growth trajectory driven by technological advancements in satellite imaging and analytics. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period, reaching USD 2.77 billion by 2033. This growth is primarily fueled by the increasing need for precise disaster management solutions, the proliferation of high-resolution satellite imagery, and the escalating frequency of extreme weather events worldwide. As per our latest research, the market’s expansion is underpinned by heightened investments in space-based monitoring technologies and the integration of artificial intelligence in geospatial analytics.

One of the most significant growth factors contributing to the expansion of the Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market is the rising demand for accurate and real-time disaster response solutions. With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of tornadoes, stakeholders such as government agencies, insurance companies, and emergency services are increasingly relying on satellite-based mapping systems to improve preparedness and mitigate losses. The precision offered by advanced satellite imagery enables swift identification of tornado paths, facilitating timely evacuation and resource allocation. Moreover, the integration of mapping software and data analytics has enabled stakeholders to generate actionable insights, further enhancing situational awareness and response efficacy. The growing awareness regarding the economic and human costs associated with tornadoes is thus compelling organizations to adopt state-of-the-art satellite mapping solutions.

Another major driver of market growth is the rapid technological evolution in satellite imagery and geospatial data processing. The launch of new-generation satellites, equipped with high-resolution sensors and advanced imaging capabilities, has significantly increased the accuracy and granularity of tornado track mapping. Furthermore, the convergence of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics has revolutionized how vast datasets are processed and interpreted. These advancements have made it possible to deliver near real-time updates and predictive analytics, empowering meteorological researchers and disaster management authorities with critical information. The ongoing investments in satellite infrastructure and R&D activities by both public and private entities are expected to further catalyze market expansion over the next decade.

Additionally, the increasing adoption of satellite-based mapping solutions by the insurance sector is emerging as a pivotal growth factor. Insurance companies are leveraging high-fidelity tornado track data to assess risks, streamline claims processing, and develop innovative insurance products tailored to regions prone to tornado activity. The ability to map tornado tracks with high precision allows insurers to better understand exposure and enhance their underwriting processes. This not only improves operational efficiency but also strengthens customer trust and satisfaction. The synergy between satellite mapping technologies and the insurance industry is anticipated to create new avenues for market growth, particularly as insurers seek to harness geospatial intelligence to manage natural disaster risks more effectively.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market, owing to its advanced satellite infrastructure, frequent tornado occurrences, and strong government support for disaster management initiatives. Europe and Asia Pacific are also witnessing significant growth, driven by increasing investments in space technology and a rising focus on climate resilience. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, while currently representing smaller market shares, are expected to experience accelerated adoption as awareness of satellite-based solutions grows and regional governments prioritize disaster preparedness. The regional outlook remains positive, with each geography contributing uniquely to the overall market expansion.

Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 13.7% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary factor propelling this robust growth is the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which has heightened the demand for advanced and accurate tornado tracking and mapping solutions. As governments and private organizations worldwide prioritize disaster preparedness and risk mitigation, satellite-based tornado track mapping technologies are becoming indispensable tools for real-time monitoring, efficient emergency response, and informed policy-making. The integration of artificial intelligence and big data analytics with high-resolution satellite imagery further enhances the precision and utility of these solutions, driving adoption across diverse end-user segments.

Regional Outlook

North America currently holds the largest share of the global Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market, accounting for approximately 42% of total revenue in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the region’s mature satellite infrastructure, advanced meteorological research capabilities, and high incidence of tornadoes, especially in the United States. The presence of leading satellite data providers, robust government funding for weather monitoring initiatives, and a proactive approach to disaster management have further solidified North America’s leadership position. Additionally, regulatory frameworks encouraging data sharing and collaboration between public agencies and private enterprises have fostered a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and deployment of cutting-edge mapping solutions. The region’s insurance and emergency response sectors are also major drivers, leveraging satellite-based analytics for risk assessment and rapid disaster response.

Asia Pacific is poised to be the fastest-growing region in the Tornado Track Mapping via Satellite market, with a projected CAGR exceeding 16% from 2025 to 2033. Rapid urbanization, increasing investments in space technology, and heightened vulnerability to severe weather events across countries such as China, Japan, and India are catalyzing market expansion. Governments in the region are significantly ramping up investments in satellite launches, meteorological research, and disaster management infrastructure to address the escalating risks posed by climate change. Strategic partnerships between regional space agencies and global technology providers are further enhancing capabilities and fostering the adoption of advanced mapping solutions. The growing awareness among local governments and communities about the importance of early warning systems and real-time data analytics is translating into increased demand for satellite-based tornado tracking services.

In emerging economies across Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, the adoption of tornado track mapping via satellite is gradually gaining traction, albeit at a slower pace compared to developed regions. Challenges such as limited satellite infrastructure, budgetary constraints, and a lack of technical expertise continue to impede widespread implementation. However, localized demand is rising as these regions face increasing weather-related disasters and seek to enhance their disaster resilience. International collaborations, donor-funded projects, and technology transfer initiatives are helping bridge the adoption gap, while supportive policy reforms and capacity-building programs are laying the groundwork for future growth. As awareness and access to satellite data improve, these regions are expected to contribute more significantly to the global market in the coming years.

Report Scope

Historical tornado records for Blue Earth County, Minnesota from 1950 to present.

Case 019 focuses on the severe convective event that affected much of northern and central Oklahoma and south central Kansas. Tornados in Oklahoma and Kansas resulted in 48 deaths and several hundred injuries.

 For more information, see:
 "http://www.joss.ucar.edu/cgi-bin/codiac/projs?COMET_CASE_019"

 and

 "http://www.comet.ucar.edu/resources/cases/c19_03may99/"

The GIS database contains the data of stand-replacing windthrow areas in the forest zone of the European Russia (ER) for the 1986–2017 period, and the ArcGIS 10.1/10.2 and Qgis 3* projects to view and analyze the data. The database contains three shapefiles (.shp), corresponding to three hierarchical levels of the data:

• “Elementary damaged area”, that is a single-part polygon of wind-damaged forest;

• “Windthrow”, that represent a group of closely spaced forest disturbances, i.e., a multipart polygon, associated with one storm event;

• “Storm event track”, that is a cluster of windthrow areas with identical direction and having the same date (or date range) of occurrence, which was most likely induced by one convective or non-convective storm.

The key fields ID and storm_ID associates each damaged area with the features in the datasets of windthrows and storm event tracks respectively using one-to-many relation. A single value “‒9999” was used for storing NoData in all fields of the attribute table. All data and projects have WGS 1984 coordinate system (without projection).

Delineation of windthrow areas was based on the full archive of Landsat images and two Landsat-derived products on forest cover change, namely the Global Forest Change and the Eastern’ Europe Forest Cover Change. Subsequent verification and analysis of each windthrow was carried out to determine a type of storm events with a degree of event certainty, dates (date ranges) and time (time ranges) of an event, windthrow geometrical characteristics. The database contains 102,747 elementary areas of damaged forest that were combined into 700 windthrow areas caused by 486 convective or non-convective storm events. The database includes stand-replacing windthrow only, which an area > 5 ha or > 25 ha for events caused by tornadoes or other storms, respectively. Additional information contained weather station reports and event description from media sources is also provided..

The compiled database provides a valuable source of spatial and temporal information on windthrows in the ER and can be successfully used both in forestry and severe storm studies.

Weather DescriptionThis feature service depicts the National Weather Service (NWS) watches, warnings, and advisories within the United States. Watches and warnings are classified into 43 categories.A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens, and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities.An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.SourceNational Weather Service RSS-CAP Warnings and Advisories: Public AlertsNational Weather Service Boundary Overlays: AWIPS Shapefile DatabaseUpdate FrequencyThe services is updated every 5 minutes using the Aggregated Live Feeds methodology.The overlay data is checked and updated daily from the official AWIPS Shapefile Database.Area CoveredUnited States and TerritoriesWhat can you do with this layer?Customize the display of each attribute by using the Change Style option for any layer.Query the layer to display only specific types of weather watches and warnings.Add to a map with other weather data layers to provide insight on hazardous weather events.Use ArcGIS Online analysis tools, such as Enrich Data, to determine the potential impact of weather events on populations.This map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency.LayersUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Public Forecast ZonesUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Fire Forecast ZonesUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - US CountiesUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - US States and TerritoriesUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Coastal and Offshore Marine ZonesUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Events Ordered by Size and SeverityUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Extreme EventsUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Severe EventsUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Moderate EventsUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Minor EventsUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Other EventsWSM (Night w/yellow boundaries)World HillshadeWorld Street Map Canvas (Night w/yellow boundaries)Flood DescriptionThis feature service depicts the National Weather Service (NWS) watches, warnings, and advisories within the United States. Watches and warnings are classified into 43 categories.A warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens, and they should listen for later information and possible warnings especially when planning travel or outdoor activities.An advisory is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.SourceNational Weather Service RSS-CAP Warnings and Advisories: Public AlertsNational Weather Service Boundary Overlays: AWIPS Shapefile DatabaseUpdate FrequencyThe services is updated every 5 minutes using the Aggregated Live Feeds methodology.The overlay data is checked and updated daily from the official AWIPS Shapefile Database.Area CoveredUnited States and TerritoriesWhat can you do with this layer?Customize the display of each attribute by using the Change Style option for any layer.Query the layer to display only specific types of weather watches and warnings.Add to a map with other weather data layers to provide insight on hazardous weather events.Use ArcGIS Online analysis tools, such as Enrich Data, to determine the potential impact of weather events on populations.This map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency.LayersUSA Weather Watches and Warnings - Events Ordered by Size and SeverityTopographicWorld HillshadeWorld Street Map Canvas (Night w/yellow boundaries)Tornado DescriptionThis map contains continuously updated U.S. tornado reports, wind storm reports and hail storm reports. You can click on each to receive information about the specific location and read a short description about the issue.Each layer is updated 4 times hourly from data provided by NOAA’s National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.A full archive of storm events can be accessed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.SourceNOAA Storm Prediction Center https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reportsUpdate FrequencyThe service is updated every 15 minutes using the Aggregated Live Feeds MethodologyArea CoveredCONUS (Contiguous United States)What can you do with this layer?This map service is suitable for data discovery and visualization.Change the symbology of each layer using single or bi-variate smart mapping. For instance, use size or color to indicate the intensity of a tornado.You can click on each to receive information about the specific location and read a short description about the issue.Query the attributes to show only specific event types or locations.This map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency.LayersUSA Storm Reports - NOAA TORNADO Storm Reports (24 hours)USA Storm Reports - NOAA WIND Storm Reports (24 hours)USA Storm Reports - NOAA TORNADO Storm Reports (past week)TopographicWorld HillshadeWorld Street Map Canvas (Night w/yellow boundaries)Wildfire DescriptionThis layer presents recent wildfire activity for the United States, featuring data from GeoMAC. Wildfire activity is downloaded from the GeoMAC Outgoing Datasets from the USGS. GeoMAC was designed to give fire managers near real-time information based on agency reports and fire perimeter data. GeoMAC is updated daily based upon input from incident intelligence sources, GPS data, and infrared (IR) imagery from fixed wing and satellite platforms.Fire Perimeter is a product of Geospatial Multi-Agency Coordination (GeoMAC). In order to give fire managers near real-time information, fire perimeter data is updated daily based upon input from incident intelligence sources, GPS data, infrared (IR) imagery from fixed wing and satellite platforms. We gather this data from the USGS feed (NIFC large fires, NIFC situation reports, perimeters). These shape files from the feed are parsed using the Aggregated Live Feeds methodology to take the returned information and serve the data through ArcGIS Server as a map service.See more information about GeoMAC.To find out more about the Esri Disaster Response Program, visit https://www.esri.com/services/disaster-response.From GeoMAC: Information presented on this website is a representation of the existing wildfire situation in the continental United States including Alaska. While every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information, proximity of fires to populated areas may not be accurately portrayed.Earthquake DescriptionIn addition to displaying earthquakes by magnitude, this service also provide earthquake impact details. Impact is measured by population as well as models for economic and fatality loss. For more details, see: PAGER Alerts.Events are updated as frequently as every 5 minutes and are available up to 30 days with the following exceptions:Events with a Magnitude LESS than 3.0 are retained for 3 daysEvents with a Magnitude LESS than 4.5 are retained for 7 daysIn addition to event points, ShakeMaps are also provided. These have been dissolved by Shake Intensity to reduce the Layer Complexity.The specific layers provided in this service have been Time Enabled and include:Events by Magnitude: The event’s seismic magnitude value.Contains PAGER Alert Level: USGS PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) system provides an automated impact level assignment that estimates fatality and economic loss.Contains Significance Level: An event’s significance is determined by factors like magnitude, max MMI, ‘felt’ reports, and estimated impact.Shake Intensity: The Instrumental Intensity or Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for available events.For field terms and technical details, see: ComCat DocumentationThis map is provided for informational purposes and is not monitored 24/7 for accuracy and currency. Always refer to USGS source for official guidance.LayersRecent Earthquakes - Events by MagnitudeRecent Earthquakes - Shake IntensityTopographicWorld HillshadeWorld Street Map Canvas (Night w/yellow boundaries)Hurricane DescriptionHurricane tracks and positions provide information on where the storm has been, where it is currently located, and where it is predicted to go. Each storm location is depicted by the sustained wind speed, according to the Saffir-Simpson Scale. It should be noted that the Saffir-Simpson Scale only applies to hurricanes in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins, however all storms are still symbolized

This map is a compilation of the most impactful severe weather outbreak events from 2010 to 2020 for the NWS New Orleans/Baton Rouge area.The map has been compiled by Esri and the ArcGIS user community from a variety of best available sources. The map is intended to support the ArcGIS Online basemap gallery. For more details on the map, please visit the World Topographic Map service description.

This story map allows users to locate and view tornadoes from a recent tornado outbreak that occurred throughout the United States from mid-late May of 2019. The tornado location layers are provided by the National Weather Service and the satellite imagery is provided by NESDIS. The storms are marked with red diamonds and once clicked on users will be able to find detailed information on individual storms such as: the date and time it occurred, the location, and a link to the NWS Storm Prediction Center site where the information was first reported. Storms with GOES imagery are marked yellow and those markers offer detailed information on the storm along with a link to a GOES-16 satellite image of the storm.About NESDIS National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) provides secure and timely access to global environmental data and information from satellites and other sources to promote and protect the Nation's security, environment, economy, and quality of life.GOES-R Series Satellites NOAA’s most sophisticated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), known as the GOES-R Series, provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s Western Hemisphere, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.The first satellite in the series, GOES-R, now known as GOES-16, was launched in 2016 and is currently operational as NOAA’s GOES-East satellite. GOES-S is scheduled to join GOES-16 in orbit as GOES-17 in March 2018 and be operational as GOES-West in late 2018. Together, GOES-16 and GOES-17 will watch over the Western Hemisphere from the west coast of Africa all the way to New Zealand.NOAA’s most sophisticated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), known as the GOES-R Series, provide advanced imagery and atmospheric measurements of Earth’s Western Hemisphere, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity and space weather.The first satellite in the series, GOES-R, now known as GOES-16, was launched in 2016 and is currently operational as NOAA’s GOES-East satellite. GOES-S is scheduled to join GOES-16 in orbit as GOES-17 in March 2018 and be operational as GOES-West in late 2018. Together, GOES-16 and GOES-17 will watch over the Western Hemisphere from the west coast of Africa all the way to New Zealand.About NWSNWS provides weather, water, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy.This map is included in the NOAA Maps May 2019 Tornado Outbreak applicationLink to Story Map Application