SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Springtime is the beginning of the severe weather season, but peak season isn’t until June. However, this past week, we have seen strong storms and even tornadoes! 

La Niña conditions developed this winter and were characterized by the jet stream shifting northward. This phenomenon brought warmer and wetter weather to the Midwest, which has been especially noticeable this year. As warmer air continues to move into Michiana during the spring, it creates greater instability in the atmosphere, leading to an increased likelihood of early severe weather and tornadoes.  

If we remember this past week’s storms, temperatures before the storms rolled in were very warm! In the 70s, nearing 80 degrees! This is a practical example of how the La Niña pattern, with the help of warm fronts, has impacted Michiana so far this year.  

Let’s see how this year’s severe weather stacks up against past years.  

From March 30 to April 3 this year, there were a total of 219 local storms reports from only two days of storms. Compared to other years, it is evident that 2025 takes the cake for most storm reports.   

All this data was taken over a span of one week, with all but one week of events occurring in the summer. The 2023 data was also taken from the end of march to the beginning of April. This points to the fact that most storms ramp up later in the year. 

To further prove this point of abnormality, the average number of tornadoes per year for Indiana is 25, and we have already reached that number! We are indeed way ahead of schedule. 

As we continue to head towards peak season, no doubt we will see more severe weather like squalls, derechos, and possibly more tornadoes—adding onto the increasing number of storms already seen this year.