Fun Fact Friday! 05/9/25

Interstate Sign with state of Oklahoma backdrop and tornado

Oklahoma is known as the "Tornado Alley" of the United States. With more tornadoes occurring per square mile than any other place in the world, this fascinating fact about the state often surprises both residents and visitors. Tornadoes are powerful weather events that captivate people’s attention and instill a sense of both awe and caution.

Understanding Tornadoes in Oklahoma

Tornadoes are rapidly rotating columns of air that extend from thunderstorms to the ground. Oklahoma is part of a unique meteorological feature known as "Tornado Alley," which stretches through the central United States. This region experiences a combination of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, cold dry air from Canada, and hot, dry air from the southwestern U.S. This mixture creates the perfect conditions for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes.

May 20, 2013, EF 5 Tornado in Southwest Oklahoma City approaching Penn Ave.