Iowa tornadoes: 2024 a record year, National Weather Service says [Video]

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A preliminary count shows Iowa’s 20-year tornado record has been broken with less than half the year remaining.

As of Aug. 17, 2024 Iowa has seen 122 tornadoes; the previous record was 120 tornadoes in 2004.

Direct year-to-year comparisons are difficult as several factors have influenced the higher tornado count in recent years, the National Weather Service in Des Moines said in a social media post.

Better communication and recording devices, social media, a more active storm spotting and chasing network, improvements in science and better radar technology are some reasons why the tornado count has increased.