What parts of Indiana get tornadoes?

Tornadoes can be scary and devastating, especially if you‘re not prepared. But I want to help you understand the tornado risk across our state so you can be ready. Indiana sees around 30 tornadoes a year on average, though some areas are more prone than others. Let me walk you through the tornado history, frequency, and safety tips for different parts of Indiana.

Overview of tornadoes in our state

Indiana‘s central location in the Midwest right in the path of colliding warm and cold air masses makes tornadoes a constant threat. Here‘s a quick look at some key facts:

Between 1950-2017, Indiana had 1,419 tornadoes that caused 307 deaths and 4,700 injuries.
June is the peak month with an average of 4, but tornadoes have struck in every month except December and January.
Most occur between 2 pm and 10 pm when the atmosphere is most unstable, especially from 3-9 pm.
Around 90% are EF0 or EF1 strength based on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with winds less than 110 mph.
But the state has seen 50 EF4 tornadoes and 2 rare EF5s with winds exceeding 200 mph.
The average path is around 5 miles long and 150-300 yards wide. But paths have exceeded 100 miles.
Weaker tornadoes can still be devastating with Indiana‘s high population density.

Now let‘s look more closely at different areas of Indiana and their tornado history.

Frequent tornadoes across northern Indiana

Northern Indiana has the highest tornado frequency in the state, especially in counties bordering the southern tip of Lake Michigan. Cool air moving over the warmer lake creates instability fueling severe storms through a process called lake-effect. Cities like South Bend and Gary have been hit hard.

Here are some of the major outbreaks that impacted this region:

1965 Palm Sunday Outbreak – Over 60 tornadoes across the Midwest. An F4 tornado struck Elkhart County killing 2 people.
1974 Super Outbreak – 148 tornadoes in 13 states including 14 in Indiana. An F5 tornado killed 33 people in Elkhart and Kosciusko counties.
1985 Outbreak – 76 tornadoes across the eastern U.S. including F4s in Allen, Carroll and Miami counties killing 13 Hoosiers.
1990 Outbreak – 64 tornadoes over 3 days caused 12 deaths including 6 from an F4 in Elkhart County.
2007 Northern Indiana Tornado – An F3 tornado struck areas near Goshen downing thousands of trees.

So northern Indiana sees frequent significant tornadoes, especially between March-June. Make sure you stay weather-aware!

Central Indiana also sees many tornadoes

The central part of Indiana through cities like Indianapolis and Kokomo is also prone to severe thunderstorms spawning tornadoes preceding cold fronts in spring and early summer.

Major tornado events here include:

1974 Super Outbreak – An F4 passing through Hendricks and Hancock counties killed one person near Brownsburg.
1990 Outbreak – An F4 affected Tipton and Hamilton counties killing 6 people.
2005 Evansville Tornado – An F3 caused widespread damage in Vanderburgh County killing 25 people.
2008 Super Tuesday Outbreak – An EF4 in Jackson County and EF3 in Hancock County among 57 tornadoes in the region.
2012 Henryville Tornado – An EF4 devastated Henryville leaving 11 dead.
2013 Elwood Tornado – An EF1 with 110 mph winds struck Elwood heavily damaging homes.

So central Indiana sees around 5 tornadoes annually, with strong EF2+ tornadoes every few years on average.

Southern Indiana also impacted

While not as frequent as up north, destructive tornadoes still impact southern Indiana. Residents need to be just as prepared.

Significant events here include:

1974 Super Outbreak – An F5 leveled Depauw University in Jefferson County killing 31 people.
2005 Evansville Tornado – This deadly F3 also struck Warrick County killing 25 people.
2012 Henryville Tornado – In addition to Henryville, this long-track EF4 impacted Clark County.
2017 EW Tornado – An EF3 with 165 mph winds caused heavy damage around Corydon in Harrison County.

Southern Indiana sees around 1-3 tornadoes per year. While fewer than the north, tornadoes can still be deadly.

Peak tornado season shifts north to south

There are also some differences in peak activity:

Northern counties along Lake Michigan see peak tornadoes earlier in May.
Central Indiana peaks a bit later in June as temperatures and humidity rise.
Southern counties near the Ohio River typically peak latest in July.
The overall peak across Indiana spans late May through early July.
The percentage of summer tornadoes increases moving south, while northern areas see more in spring.

So the further south, the later into summer the main risk lasts. But all areas need to stay vigilant April through August.

Bodies of water enhance the threat

Large lakes and rivers around Indiana also raise tornado risk:

In northern Indiana, lake-effect snow squalls coming off Lake Michigan can create spin-ups.
The Wabash River runs roughly centrally through the state adding moisture.
Along the southern border, the Ohio River pulls up warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.

Just beyond Indiana, Lake Erie (to the east) and the Mississippi River (west) also influence our weather and storms.

So proximity to these large water bodies can make tornadoes more likely.

Differences between rural areas and cities

There are also some variations in tornado impacts and risk between urban areas like Indianapolis and rural towns and farms:

Due to more buildings and surfaces, tornadoes passing through bigger cities often weaken more quickly.
But due to population density, tornado impacts in urban areas can be deadlier if people are not sheltered.
In rural areas and small towns, there are fewer warning systems and shelter options. But there is less surface friction allowing tornadoes to strengthen.
Open fields and farmland are more susceptible to long-track and sometimes violent tornadoes.

So both urban and rural areas have pros and cons when it comes to tornado risk.

How you can stay safe

While we can‘t prevent tornadoes, you can take steps to keep your family safe:

Learn your area’s tornado history so you know the risk. Consider it when choosing a home or school location.
Have a family emergency plan with identified shelters and meeting places. Practice it!
Invest in a NOAA weather radio that will wake you for warnings. Also listen for storm sirens.
Download a warning app like Accuweather or The Weather Channel for NWS alerts.
Follow tornado safety procedures at home, work, or anywhere you frequent.
Consider an underground shelter or reinforced safe room for the best life-saving protection.

The tornado threat continues

Tornadoes will continue posing threats to all parts of Indiana each spring and summer. Ongoing research is looking at how climate change could potentially alter future tornado patterns and risks:

Warmer springs may lengthen and intensify the season.
Droughts and heavy rain episodes may increase, impacting storm formation.
Stronger contrasts between air masses could strengthen storms.
Tornado paths may shift slightly northward.

But Hoosiers must prepare every year for tornadoes to remain an annual occurrence. My goal is make sure you understand the risk in your area and how to stay safe!

Let‘s look at some common questions Indiana residents have about tornadoes in our state:

How many tornadoes typically occur in Indiana each year?

Indiana averages around 20-30 tornadoes per year based on data from the National Weather Service. The peak tornado season across the state runs from April through early July, with the most activity in May and June. While most are EF0 or EF1 range, stronger EF2+ tornadoes still occur almost annually. Northern Indiana along Lake Michigan sees the highest frequency. But tornadoes can happen anywhere in the state.

What were some of the worst tornadoes to strike Indiana?

Some of the most devastating tornadoes in Indiana history include:

1925 Tri-State Tornado – Killed 695 people across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, with 234 deaths in our state.
1965 Palm Sunday Outbreak – Over 60 tornadoes including an F4 that killed 2 people in Elkhart County.
1974 Super Outbreak – Produced multiple deadly tornadoes including an F5 that struck Depauw University killing 31.
1990 Outbreak – A tornado tracked 100 miles through north central Indiana including an F4 causing 6 deaths.
2005 Evansville Tornado – An F3 killed 25 people in the Evansville area.
2012 Henryville Tornado – An EF4 left 12 dead after flattening the town.

Is there a Tornado Alley in Indiana like the Great Plains?

There is no distinct Tornado Alley corridor through Indiana. However, the state does fall in the broad zone of severe storms capable of producing tornadoes. Northern Indiana sees the most activity with risk similar to the southern Great Plains. Central Indiana also regularly has tornadoes during severe weather months. Even southern Indiana sees deadly tornado impacts, just less frequently than northern parts of the state.

In what months and at what time of day do most Indiana tornadoes occur?

The peak tornado season in Indiana runs from April through early July, with most activity in May and June. June averages the most tornadoes statewide while November historically has the least. The peak hours for tornadoes are mid-afternoon through early evening between 2 pm and 10 pm when daytime heating maximizes instability. While rare in winter, tornadoes have still occurred between February and March, as well as from August through October, demonstrating they can happen any month given the right conditions.

Does Indianapolis receive many tornado strikes and direct hits?

As Indiana‘s largest metro area, Indianapolis is vulnerable to tornado impacts just like other central Indiana cities and towns. While some tornadoes weaken or dissipate passing through downtown areas, strong damaging tornadoes have directly struck the city before:

In 1976 an F3 tornado struck the northwest side killing one person.
In 2002 an F1 tornado touched down just southwest of downtown injuring 6.
An F2 tornado in 2008 caused significant damage and one death on the south side.
In 2017 two weak tornadoes struck different parts of the metro area downing trees and damaging homes.

So while the frequency may be slightly lower than rural areas, Indianapolis still faces very real tornado threats each year. Residents must take warnings seriously and seek proper shelter when tornadoes are approaching.

How often do tornadoes occur in the Indianapolis area?

Based on historical data, the greater Indianapolis metro area experiences a direct tornado strike approximately once every 2 to 3 years on average. Most are weaker EF0 or EF1 range tornadoes. The city takes a hit from a more significant EF2+ tornado about once every 5 to 10 years. However, many tornadoes also pass just outside city boundaries and impact nearby communities around Marion County more frequently each year. Overall, the larger Indianapolis area falls squarely in the zone of higher tornado probability in Indiana during spring and summer.

To summarize tornado risks across Indiana:

Tornadoes are a constant threat, with ~30 per year in Indiana historically.
Northern counties see the most activity, but southern areas still experience deadly tornadoes.
Peak months shift from May in the north to July in the south.
Bodies of water like Lake Michigan and Ohio River increase risks.
Both rural towns and metro areas like Indianapolis are vulnerable.
Advance planning and warnings save lives by taking shelter in secure locations.
Climate change could potentially shift tornado patterns and impacts.
All Hoosiers must take tornado season seriously and prepare for safety!

I hope this gives you a better understanding of tornadoes in our state. Please let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to talk more about weather safety.