Michigan averages 15 tornadoes per year. The state's most tragic event was the 1953 Flint-Beecher F5 that killed 116 people. Michigan has experienced violent tornadoes across its Lower Peninsula, though the state is on the fringe of major tornado activity.
Devastating F5 struck Beecher and Flint. 116 killed - the deadliest single tornado in Michigan history and one of the deadliest in the 20th century. Full story →
Multiple tornadoes struck Michigan during the Palm Sunday outbreak. Combined with Ohio/Indiana events.
EF2 struck southeast Michigan. Rare event for the state.
Michigan's Lower Peninsula sits in the outer edge of Tornado Alley. Cold fronts and warm moisture reach the state.
Lakes Michigan and Erie provide some suppression but don't completely eliminate tornado risk.
Michigan has been included in some major outbreaks.
Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint area. Highest tornado density in state. Historical significant events.
Lansing, Grand Rapids. Moderate risk.
Fewer tornadoes but do occur. Lake effect provides some suppression.