Tornado count after a very busy few weeks

I can't say for sure just how many tornados have been confirmed in Kansas after the last 8-10 days, but safe to say it's feeling like severe weather season again (after having such quiet seasons the past few years).

Talking about the United States as a whole, there have been over 600 tornado reports (actual count will be slightly different), which would make this one of the busiest seasons since 2012. It appears that 2017 was only slightly more active since 2012. Sometimes official count on tornadoes isn't known until several weeks after an event, so that's why the 600 count will change somewhat over the coming days. It is still above the 75th percentile (through May 5th)

Kansas Tornado numbers from the last few years:

• 2021 - 37
• 2020 - 17 (one of the lowest counts on record)
• 2019 - 89 (slightly above average)
• 2018 - 45
• 2017 - 60 (about average)
• 2016 - 102 (40 above average)

I don't know exactly how many tornados we've had this year, but I believe it is somewhere between 15-20 thus far. We are still moving into the peak of tornado season in Kansas, which usually comes in mid to late May. Memorial Day weekend is always notorious for having severe weather. 

Next week (second full week of May) the setup looks like this:

There will be a large upper low out in the west (northern California) for a few days. Ahead of the upper system, very warm temperatures will cover the Plains states - most days will have highs in the 80s to near 90. Highest rain chances will be north of Kansas up into Nebraska and the Dakotas, parts of Wyoming and northern Colorado.

As much as we'd like the rain to be here (especially in the west), those areas are in drought too and need the rain. I think the best we can look at will be hit and miss thunderstorm opportunities for Kansas - NOT widespread. Wednesday through Friday may have some chances, but they are not very good.

We will be looking at the following weekend (May 14/15) for an increased potential of rain/storms. Details when we get closer. 

Have a great weekend.