The Storm Prediction Center (SPC/NWS/NOAA) just released the U.S tornado statistics for 2012.
The first tornado of the year was on January 9th in Texas and the last was on December 26th in North Carolina. There was a grand total of 936 tornadoes nationwide. That number ranked 25th since 1950. April had the greatest total per month at 206.
Over the year, there were 170 tornado days, 8 below the annual average. The greatest daily total was 86 on April 18th. 46 states reported at least one tornado in 2012. The longest track was 85 miles, from Kentucky to West Virginia. There were 4 tornadoes rated EF4, the fewest since 2009. There were 0 tornadoes rated EF5 (200+ mph).
All tornadoes from 2012 causes an estimated 1.6 billion dollars in damage to property or crops, much less than the 10 billion in 2011. 2012 tornadoes caused 68 deaths (below average) and caused 829 injuries. The single deadliest tornado of 2012 was in Henryville, IN on march 2nd and claimed 11 lives.
Overall 2012 was a below average season for tornado activity and damage. The “dip in activity” in 2012 does not represent a forecast trend. 2011 was one of the most damaging years on record.
-Meteorologist Myles Henderson