Is Tornado Alley on the move? Recent tornadoes show the infamous danger zone spreading east

ATLANTA — Tornadoes can happen anywhere in the U.S., but you’ve probably heard of Tornado Alley.  

While there’s no official boundary, the National Severe Storms Laboratory says it’s generally thought of as an area stretching across the Central and Southern plains, with Texas usually topping the list for the most tornadoes each year. 

But in recent decades, more outbreaks have actually occurred in states farther east from the infamous area.

Tornadoes still form regularly in the plains at the center of the U.S. In 2025, of the 1,559 tornadoes reported by NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center, Texas still came in first place with 162 twisters. However, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama and North Dakota rounded the top 5.  

Meteorologists point to a mix of factors driving the change.  Warmer waters in the Gulf are providing more humidity which provides fuel for storms.  In addition, changes in the jet stream can favor storms farther East. If the jet stream is pushed farther South, the warmer and wetter the air will be when it clashes with the cold air to the North, which also triggers storms.  

This shift isn’t just about geography—it’s about impact. The Southeast, often called Dixie Alley, presents a set of risks that are far different from those in the plains.  For example, the area typically gets more tornadoes at night. These nighttime twisters are harder to see because of the low light and less-clear terrain. And there tend to be more people living in these areas, meaning tornadoes that form in the eastern U.S. have the potential to be much deadlier. .  

The bottom line—Tornadoes aren’t just a plains problem anymore.  That’s why staying weather aware, especially this time of year, is important and can even save your life.