No May Tornadoes in Oklahoma

Note: Original news item issued in June 2005.

For the first time since official records began in 1950, no tornadoes were reported in the state of Oklahoma in the month of May 2005.

Prior to 2005, the record lowest number of reported tornadoes in May was two, in 1988.

Up until this year, May was the only month of the year that always had at least one tornado. Every other month has several zero years in the records.

May typically marks the peak of tornado season in Oklahoma. During the period from 1950 to 2004, an average of 21 tornadoes has been reported in the month of May. May typically brings about 38 percent of the year's annual average tornado total of 54.

The most tornadoes ever recorded in May occurred in 1999, when 90 tornadoes were reported.

Other years with low May totals include:

• May 1988 - 2
• May 1958 - 4
• May 1967 - 4

The months of May in 1952, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1978, and 1987 each saw only five tornadoes.

Based on preliminary data, so far in 2005 there have been 15 tornadoes in Oklahoma, which is below the average of 36 for January through May.

The most tornadoes ever recorded during the January through May timeframe also occurred in 1999, when 116 tornadoes were tallied.

The lowest January-May totals include:

• January-May 1988 -  7
• January-May 1958 - 10
• January-May 1989 - 10