where do tornadoes occur in the world

Tornadoes can occur on almost every continent on Earth, but they are most common in certain “hotspot” regions, especially in the mid‑latitudes between about 20° and 60° north and south.

Global overview

• Tornadoes have been recorded on every continent except Antarctica.

• They are most frequent where warm, humid air masses collide with cooler, drier air, creating strong thunderstorms and wind shear.

• The United States experiences by far the greatest number of tornadoes and many of the strongest ones in the world.

Main hotspot regions

1. North America

• United States (Tornado Alley & beyond): Central U.S. (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska), plus parts of the Midwest and Southeast, is the world’s top tornado region, with more tornadoes and more violent ones than any other country.

• Canada : Has the second‑highest number of tornadoes globally, especially in the Prairie Provinces and Ontario; strong tornadoes also occur in northern Mexico.

2. South America

• Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, Paraguay : Northeastern Argentina and the La Plata Basin form one of the world’s most active tornado regions outside North America.

• Tornadoes here can be strong and are associated with powerful thunderstorms over the Pampas and surrounding plains.

3. Europe

• Tornadoes occur across much of Europe, with notable activity in Italy, Germany, the UK, France, Benelux countries, and coastal Mediterranean areas.

• Italy has particularly high tornado density, and waterspouts that come ashore around the Mediterranean can act like small tornadoes.

4. Asia

• Bangladesh and eastern India : Among the world’s most dangerous tornado regions; Bangladesh has some of the deadliest tornadoes on record, with high fatalities due to population density and weaker building standards.

• Japan and the Philippines : Experience tornadoes and frequent waterspouts, often linked to strong thunderstorms and tropical systems.

5. Africa

• South Africa : One of the better‑known African tornado regions, with regular tornado reports in certain interior areas.

6. Australia and New Zealand

• Australia : Tornadoes occur in several regions, including parts of eastern and southeastern Australia.

• New Zealand : Reports multiple tornadoes each year despite its small size.

Simple pattern to remember

• Tornadoes are globally widespread , but
  • Most frequent and strongest : United States and southern Canada.

* **Other active belts** : La Plata Basin in South America, Bangladesh/eastern India, parts of Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

• Antarctica is the only continent with no recorded tornadoes.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.