March 2025 Sees Unusually High Tornado Activity — Here’s Why

March brought an early and intense start to tornado season in the U.S., with at least 175 tornadoes confirmed — roughly double the monthly average and among the top five most active Marches on record. The number may climb further as ongoing assessments wrap up.

Key Takeaways

• A mid-month outbreak produced 116 tornadoes, a near-record for a single March event.

• Tornadoes spanned from the Mississippi Valley to the Midwest, with some proving deadly.

• Four major storm systems drove most of the month's activity.

“This was a classic setup for early season activity,” said Victor Gensini, meteorologist and professor at Northern Illinois University.

Why It Was So Active

• Lingering La Niña: Though fading, atmospheric patterns still behaved like La Niña, which is known for causing a wavier jet stream and pulling warm air northward — perfect conditions for storm development.

• Warm Gulf Waters: The Gulf of Mexico remained 1–2°C warmer than normal, adding fuel to storms. Similar warmth in 2022 and 2023 also preceded active March tornado seasons.

• Climate Influence: Ongoing ocean warming, linked to climate change, increases low-level moisture and extends the window for severe storms earlier in the year.

“Increased low-level moisture availability is one reason we’re seeing earlier severe weather outbreaks,” Gensini explained.

Looking Ahead

• April is expected to stay active, at least during the first week.

• However, early-season tornadoes don’t guarantee a record-breaking year. For instance, 2004 had a slow start but ended with the most tornadoes ever, while 2012 started strong and fizzled.