Des Moines, IA (northwestiowanow.com) — Tornadoes can strike in any season, on any day of the year. Last Monday, the 30th, marked the end of what’s considered the peak season for twisters in Iowa. Meteorologist Jim Lee at the National Weather Service in Des Moines says Iowa has seen very few tornadoes so far in 2025—especially compared to last year, which saw multiple outbreaks that brought the annual total to a stunning 125.

That compares to more than 100 twisters by this date last year. Lee says there are several reasons for the lower number of tornadoes across the state this year.

While the main tornado season in Iowa—April through June—is now coming to an end, Lee stresses that Iowans should not let their guard down. Tornadoes can form at any time, as they did on December 15, 2021, when the state saw 63 twisters in a single day.

During last year’s record-setter, 98 of Iowa’s 125 tornadoes struck during April and May.