Tornados Are Moving East: What That Means for Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin

For years, when people talked about “Tornado Alley,” they meant places like Kansas and Oklahoma. But that’s changing, and rapidly. Tornadoes are moving east, and Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois are in the wicked-weather spotlight more than ever before. In fact, Iowa set a record for tornadoes in 2024. So, what does that really mean for our Tri-State area?

In the simplest terms, tornadoes are becoming more frequent and more intense in our region. Scientists have been tracking these changes for years, and the data shows that the traditional tornado hot spots out west are seeing fewer storms, while the Midwest and parts of the Southeast are seeing more. That includes our very own backyards. You know, the place we Iowans love to watch the storms roll in from.

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Why the shift? A lot of it has to do with changes in weather patterns. According to weather-fox.com, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico interacts with cooler air masses further to the east more often than it ever has before. These collisions create the perfect conditions for tornadoes, and now they’re happening more often in places like Illinois and eastern Iowa.

Read More: Iowa Produces One of the Top 5 Most Devastating Tornadoes in 2024

We’ve already seen some of the effects. Communities in all three states have experienced severe weather that felt more like what used to hit the Southern Plains. Tornado warnings are being issued more often. The storms can come fast, and sometimes at night, which makes them even more dangerous.

So how can we prepare? First, it’s about awareness. Many people in our region still think of tornadoes as a serious threat, but a fairly rare occurrence. Unfortunately, that mindset needs to change. Schools and local governments may need to update their emergency plans. Some of the harder and more often hit areas may need to rethink building codes to make homes and public areas more storm-resistant.

At home, families are encouraged to create tornado safety plans. In my house, my kids know exactly where they should go to avoid flying debris or survive should our house be "pulled-up." Whether it’s a basement or a small interior room, make sure family members know where to go and stay tuned to alerts from trusted sources like NOAA Weather Radio, local weather apps, and cellular warnings.

Read More: First Ever February Tornado Rips Through Wisconsin and Illinois

Bottom line? Tornadoes are no longer just a problem “down south” or “out west.” The threat is real, and it’s setting up residence in our area. But with the right preparation, communities in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin can stay ahead of the storm. The first part of preparing is understanding that we may see more than our fair share of tornadoes now and into the not-too-distant future.