Which U.S. state has recorded the most tornadoes?

Texas has recorded more tornadoes than any other U.S. state. Its large area spans several climate regions and includes terrain where warm, humid Gulf air can meet cooler, drier air from the west and north.

The state’s size is an important part of the comparison: Texas covers far more land than Kansas, Oklahoma, or Nebraska. It also contains the southern portion of the region popularly called Tornado Alley. Tornadoes can occur in every part of Texas, including the Panhandle, the central plains, and areas near the Gulf Coast.

Annual totals vary greatly from year to year, and a state’s ranking depends partly on how long records have been collected and how detection practices have changed. Modern weather radar, storm spotting, mobile phones, and population growth make many weaker tornadoes easier to report than in the past.

Texas is not necessarily the state with the highest tornado frequency per square mile. Smaller states can rank higher under that measure, so “most tornadoes” and “highest tornado density” are different questions.