The 2026 tornado season in the U.S. started off below the norm in May, influenced by the shift from La Niña to El Niño. However, forecasters from the NWS indicate that activity is now migrating northward and gaining strength as June approaches. The primary areas of concern this month include the Plains, Upper Midwest, and Great Lakes, with tornado occurrences expected to be close to average despite a quiet May. A week of intense severe weather is predicted across a stretch of 10 states from Texas to Michigan, featuring supercell storms that could generate tornadoes, large hail, and wind gusts exceeding 70 mph.
