Does China Get Tornadoes?
Yes — China gets tornadoes regularly, mostly on the eastern plains. Most are weak, but some have been violent and deadly. Here is where and when China's tornadoes strike.
At a glance
| Short answer | Yes — dozens per year |
|---|---|
| Most in | Eastern China (Jiangsu, Anhui, Guangdong, NE) |
| Peak season | Spring and summer |
| Deadliest | 2016 Yancheng, Jiangsu (EF4) |
How common are Chinese tornadoes?
China records tens of tornadoes in a typical year, the great majority of them weak. They are far less frequent than in the United States, but China's enormous population means even a modest tornado can affect many people.
Where do they happen?
The main hotspots are the flat, humid plains of eastern China: the lower Yangtze region (Jiangsu, Anhui, Shanghai), the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong, and the north-eastern provinces. Coastal areas also see waterspouts.
Are they dangerous?
Usually not — but occasionally, yes, very. The 23 June 2016 Yancheng tornado in Jiangsu reached EF4 intensity and killed nearly a hundred people, the deadliest in China in decades. More on the wider pattern in tornadoes in China.
Sources & further reading
- China Meteorological Administration (CMA)
- Tornado climatology research for China
- Damage surveys of major Chinese tornadoes
Figures such as casualties and ratings reflect widely published accounts from national weather services and the European Severe Storms Laboratory, and may be revised as records are re-analysed.