Trend of more than normal tornado count continues for Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s tornado count has exceeded the yearly average by a considerable amount for three years in a row.

The National Weather Service has updated the yearly tornado count as the final surveys of the July 27th Fox Valley storms has been concluded.

Through the end of July, there have been 13 different tornado days resulting in 46 tornadoes in the state. This doubles the yearly average of 23.

Most notably was the states most recent tornado. The EF3 that tore through Appleton, Neenah and Menasha, injuring 68 people.

More locally, two EF0 tornadoes touched down June 10th. One near Lomira and one near Eden.

In 2025, there were 39 tornadoes with eight touching down in Dodge County… two of them being EF2 rated.

And in 2024, the state recorded 45 tornadoes with none of them in the Fond du Lac or surrounding county areas.

Research shows it’s not just Wisconsin seeing the upward tick in tornados. In 2026, Illinois has had a record number of tornadoes, leading the states with the most tornadoes. A feat typically reserved for Oklahoma or Texas. The state added 7 more to the total Sunday, bringing the total up to 198.

The tornadic activities eastward shift from the more traditional tornado ally can be attributed to changes in moisture, instability, jet-stream patterns and storm tracks over the last couple years.

The 46 documented tornadoes occurring in Wisconsin this year tie it for the 2nd most on record going back to 1950. 2005 holds the yearly record with 62, and 2010 also came in at 46.