Tornado Alley Map
How Tornado Alley is Shifting
Interactive tornado alley map showing 75 years of data (1950-2024) and the eastward shift from the Great Plains
What is Tornado Alley? Where is Tornado Alley Located?
Traditional Location
Tornado Alley traditionally refers to the central United States where tornadoes occur most frequently. While the NWS and NOAA don't officially define it, the term has been used since 1952 to describe the Great Plains region including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
The Eastward Shift
Our tornado alley map reveals an important trend: Tornado Alley is shifting eastward. Recent data shows increasing activity in the Midwest and Southeast, particularly in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas—now called "Dixie Alley".
Explore the Data
Use the interactive tornado alley maps below to explore 75 years of tornado data and see exactly how tornado alley is shifting from west to east.
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Understanding the Tornado Alley Shift
The tornado alley map data presented above demonstrates a clear eastward migration of tornado activity over the past 75 years. This tornado alley shifting phenomenon is particularly evident when comparing the Pre-Modern Era (1950-1995) with the Modern Era (1996-2024).
Why is Tornado Alley Shifting?
Climate Patterns
Changing atmospheric conditions and moisture patterns may be creating more favorable conditions for tornadoes in the Southeast.
Improved Detection
Modern Doppler radar (WSR-88D network completed in 1997) allows better detection of weaker tornadoes, particularly in more populated eastern regions.
Population Growth
Increased development in the Southeast means more observers and better reporting of tornado events.
Reliable tornado data sourced from official organizations:
