Tornado researchers Josh Wurman and Karen Kosiba, who lead a storm-chasing team, are working to understand why some storms produce tornadoes and the effects of tornado winds near the ground. This knowledge could improve warnings and aid in designing more resilient buildings.
However, the systems used to study and forecast tornadoes are under strain. The National Weather Service experienced a significant loss of staff in early 2025, with over 560 employees leaving. By the 2026 storm season, despite new hires, staffing gaps remained, affecting the agency's ability to conduct twice-daily weather-balloon launches essential for forecasters and researchers.
Scientists have expressed concerns about the reliability of forecast guidance. Chris Weiss of Texas Tech noted that the performance of models this year has been particularly poor. Funding for research teams, including Wurman's and Weiss's, has also become uncertain, with no guaranteed support for the next field season.
The changing tornado map shows a 25% reduction in moderate-or-stronger tornadoes in the western US and a 12% increase in the east, where basements are scarcer and mobile homes are more common. Between 2020 and 2025, tornadoes in the US were responsible for roughly 410 deaths, nearly 3,800 injuries, and approximately $8.5 billion in reported property damage.