Why Are There Suddenly Tornados in Arizona?

Growing up in the Midwest, I was familiar with extreme weather patterns. We experienced everything from city-stopping blizzards to tornadoes; we anticipated crazy weather and adjusted to it.

I've been lulled into complacency in the many decades I've lived in Arizona. People here are more likely to complain about a lack of weather. All of that seems to be changing this year, and unlike my Midwestern friends and family, I'm not sure we're ready for this.

READ: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Arizona Home for Monsoon Season

Arizona's Sudden Tornado Activity

This year, Arizona experienced a surge in tornado activity across the state. We rarely see weather as extreme as this. While monsoons and lightning are the main features of Arizona's summer weather, we do not usually worry about tornados.

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Things have changed drastically across our state. Several tornadoes touched down this year alone, and while they're not nearly as devastating as you might find in Oklahoma or Texas, they've caused significant damage. 

Why Are More Tornados Happening in Arizona?

A combination of factors are responsible for the sudden tornado spike. Because of Arizona’s dry climate and lack of moisture, tornados don't happen very often. This year has seen very different weather patterns and increased atmospheric instability, making conditions much better for tornadic activity.

READ: El Niño, Climate Change, & Crazy Weather! Is the AZ Monsoon Here? 

Rising hot air, converging moisture, and wind shear have created the perfect conditions for tornadoes to form.

Arizona's Increase in Tornados

On average, about four to five tornadoes occur yearly in Arizona but don't often touch down or cause damage. On July 2nd of this year, a tornado touched down in Tucson. It was small, an EF-1, the lowest rating, but it still caused some damage in the area.

Arizona tornados are still an outlier. While they form when conditions are right, they rarely touch down or cause extensive damage. With weather patterns changing across the state, it's always good to be prepared, no matter what happens in Arizona.