While February Tornadoes Are Rare, They Are Not Totally Unheard Of

Last weekend's tornado outbreak across the South was a reminder that these powerful storms can spin up during the depths of winter. How common are tornadoes in the month of February? Here is what you need to know.

Where February Tornadoes Are Most Common

There were at least a dozen confirmed tornadoes across Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana over Valentine's Day weekend. While February ranks in the bottom four months to see tornadoes, that does not mean that the chance is zero. In an average year, you can expect to see between 40 and 50 confirmed tornadoes over the course of the month.

Tornadic activity in February is most likely to happen in the South; however, these funnels can roam anywhere with favorable conditions. In addition to the Deep South, it is not unusual to see tornadic activity in the Ohio Valley or across the Carolinas.