2025 Tornado Predictions for KY, IN, IL, & TN – Here’s What to Expect

Crazy Weather in the Tri-State

It feels like every other week I’m reporting on some kind of crazy weather in the tri-state area. Just a couple of weeks ago, the forecast called for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and snow - all in the span of 24 hours. And sure enough, Mother Nature delivered. Luckily, it all hit on a Sunday when most places were closed, but just a few days later, she dumped another six inches of snow on us, causing major delays and shutdowns.

Now, I don’t mess around with tornadoes. As the person responsible for sending out tornado watches and warnings across our websites, social media pages, and apps, I take my job seriously. When storms roll in, I grab my weather helmet, lace up my sneakers, and hunker down in our basement storm shelter while I work. But on the morning a tornado actually hit my yard, I was totally unprepared.

That Time I Was Unprepared Was the Time a Tornado Hit My Property

I knew bad weather was possible the night before, but I went to bed without much concern. I wake up early for work, so when my phone started going berserk at 5:15 a.m., I was groggy but got up to check things out. I walked to our back sliding glass door, opened it, and immediately saw our very large grill sliding past me like it weighed nothing. That was all I needed to see. I slammed the door shut and yelled for my family to get to the basement.

When the storm passed, it was still too dark to see much. But as the sun came up, we could finally make out a clear path of destruction cutting through the woods behind our house. Driving through the neighborhood later, we saw exactly where the F1 tornado had ripped through, taking down trees and leaving a colossal mess in its wake.

Thankfully, no one was hurt, and all the homes in our neighborhood made it through just fine. My shed and all its contents weren't so lucky.

HOW MANY TORNADOES HIT SOUTHERN INDIANA, WESTERN KENTUCKY, AND SOUTHERN ILLINOIS IN 2024?

It wasn't the only tornado to hit the area. Another tornado went through Newburgh not long after. Too close to home if you ask me. In fact, the National Weather Service in Paducah reported that 59 tornadoes hit the area in 2024.

There were a total of 59 tornadoes that touched down across our area in 2024, which was the 2nd most on record for a year only behind the 79 in 2011. The tornadoes covered a total of 443.2 miles (also 2nd most behind the 449.8 miles in 2011). There were 4 EF-3's, one of which became our strongest July tornado on record. The vast majority of them (53) occurred during 4 events: April 2, May 8, May 26, and July 9.

It's not surprising since the tri-state is the new Tornado Alley.

Read More: Tornado Debris Marks KY's Broke Leg Falls -- an Eerie Hidden Gem 

According to Accuweather:

• Kentucky - 57
• Indiana - 61
• Illinois - 126
• Tennessee - 23

I was pretty surprised by the Illinois number. Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Florida, and Illinois all had tornado counts over 101.

HOW MANY TORNADOES WILL WE HAVE IN 2025?

No one can be sure how many tornadoes will hit but forecasters have an idea. According to map created by Reed Timmer Extreme Meteorologist & Team Dominator,

• Kentucky - 50
• Indiana - 40
• Illinois - 60
• Tennessee - 80

So, it looks like tornado activity is shifting south. Since 2025 is a La Niña year, forecasters are looking at past patterns to get a better idea of what to expect.

La Niña can ramp up tornado activity by strengthening the jet stream farther north, bringing stronger winds and pulling in more moisture and instability from the warmer Gulf air. Even though the 2025 La Niña is on the weaker side, these atmospheric conditions still tend to favor an uptick in tornado outbreaks, especially in the spring.

Read More: Waverly Hills — One of Kentucky’s Most Haunted Locations — Evacuates Guests Into Body Chute During Tornado Warning [VIDEO]

HOW TO GET PREPARED

It's always important to prepare for a tornado so you aren't left wondering where to go or what to do.

Listen

If the weather turns dangerous, we go wall-to-wall with our weather partners at Eyewitness News. You can listen on any radio or via our app.

Have an Emergency Kit

Here's what ready.gov recommends having in a kit.

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
• Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children