KENT COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As of May 18, 2025, Michigan has already logged 27 confirmed tornadoes – and that number could climb as surveys continue. That’s nearly double the state’s annual average of 16, putting 2025 on track to rank among the top 10 most tornado-active years since 1950, with the record being 39 tornadoes in 1974.

According to CBS News, the National Weather Service has verified these numbers, but the tornado count is likely to rise. In Michigan, tornadoes typically strike between April and August, with June marking the peak of the season.

Tornado hotspots: where the twisters touched down.

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Kent County leads with five tornadoes this year with other tornadoes touching down in the counties of Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Eaton, Genesee, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Newaygo, and Saginaw. One of the most significant events was an EF-1 tornado that traveled 15.5 miles from Charlotte to Lansing, causing notable damage.

What’s fueling the frenzy?

Meteorologists attribute the uptick in tornado activity to a combination of factors: a heat dome over the North Atlantic pushing Arctic air southward, increased atmospheric moisture, and shifting jet stream patterns. These conditions have created a volatile environment conducive to severe storms and tornadoes.

Looking ahead: cooler temps, but stay alert.

The National Weather Service forecasts cooler-than-average temperatures for Michigan through the end of May, with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. While this may reduce the immediate tornado threat, the state’s recent weather patterns suggest residents should remain vigilant.