Here are some tornado facts from the National Weather Service, Insurance Information Institute and news accounts: _Tornadoes can occur in any month, but are more frequent from April through June and between 3 and 6 p.m. _Most tornadoes track southwest to northeast, but their paths can spiral erratically. _The portion of a thunderstorm adjacent to large hail is where tornadoes are most likely to occur. _There were 32 tornado-related deaths reported in 1988, down from 59 in 1987 and well below the average of 99 a year. _Less than 2 percent of all tornadoes are classified as violent, with wind speeds of more than 200 mph and a path averaging 26 miles. The longest tornado on record went 219 miles across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana in March 1925. _Tornadoes travel at an average 30 mph, but can stand still or go 70 mph. _The largest single outbreak of twisters on record was in April 1974, when 148 storms killed 300 people in 13 states over two days. _When a tornado threatens, seek shelter in the basement or central parts of the house, office or school building, away from windows.
Here are some tornado facts . The portion of a thunderstorm adjacent to large hail is where tornadoes are most likely to occur . They generally move southwest to northeast . Less than two thirds of all tornadoes are classified as violent , with wind speeds of more than 130 mph and a path averaging twenty - six miles . The longest tornado on record went 219 miles across Missouri , Illinois and Texas in March 1974 . Tornadoes travel and average of 30 mph , but can stand still or go 70 mph . The largest outbreak of twisters on record was in April 1974 when violent storms killed 300 people in 13 states over two days .