Tornadoes of 2017
A chart of the 2017 United States inflation-adjusted tornado count
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| Timespan | January 2 – Currently active |
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| Maximum rated tornado |
EF4 tornado
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| Tornadoes in U.S. | 1,207 |
| Damage (U.S.) | > US$5 billion |
| Fatalities (U.S.) | 38 |
| Fatalities (worldwide) | 40 |
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Summary of tornadoes
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This page documents notable tornadoes and tornado outbreaks worldwide in 2017. Strong and destructive tornadoes form most frequently in the United States, Bangladesh, and Eastern India, but they can occur almost anywhere under the right conditions. Tornadoes also develop occasionally in southern Canada during the Northern Hemisphere's summer and somewhat regularly at other times of the year across Europe, Asia, and Australia. Tornadic events are often accompanied with other forms of severe weather, including strong thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.
There have been 1,379 reports of tornadoes in the United States in 2017 so far, of which at least 1,207 have been confirmed. A total of 40 tornado-related deaths have occurred worldwide as of June 6: 38 in the United States, one in Brazil, and one in Germany. The tornado season in 2017 started exceptionally early, having the second most active January since records began in 1950, and one of the most active first quarters in recorded history. 2017 has also had four high risks issued by the Storm Prediction Center so far this year, making this the most active in the sense of high risks since 2011, which had a total of five high risks issued throughout the entire year.
Extreme levels of tornadic activity took place in January. There were 142 preliminary reports of tornadoes in the United States in January, of which 135 were confirmed. This is over 4 times the monthly average of 35, and the most active January since 1999.
On December 26, 2016, the Storm Prediction Center noted the potential for a severe risk to evolve across the Southern United States in the extended range. On December 31, a slight risk of severe weather was noted from southeastern Texas through far western Alabama. The risk area was shifted eastward and heightened to an enhanced risk the following day, with the SPC warning of the potential for damaging wind gusts and a strong tornado or two. A mesoscale convective system developed across eastern Texas early on January 2, aided by the combination of a strong upper-level trough, a moderately unstable atmosphere, and sufficient moisture. As the convection progressed east, hundreds of damaging wind reports and numerous tornado reports were received. The Louisiana towns of Bunkie and Hessmer sustained moderate damage from EF1 tornadoes. An EF2 tornado destroyed chicken houses and caused tree damage near Mount Olive, Mississippi, while another EF2 struck Rehobeth, Alabama, causing considerable damage at a local festival grounds. Rear flank downdraft winds away from the Rehobeth tornado killed four people when a large tree crushed a mobile home. Three separate EF2 tornadoes occurred near Blakely and Arlington, Georgia, causing major tree damage, destroying farm structures, and causing severe roof damage to a few homes. Overall, this outbreak produced 36 tornadoes.
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