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.