The 2026 European tornado season is the current season of tornadoes and tornado outbreaks across Europe and surrounding areas[a] in 2026. As of February, there have been 36 confirmed tornadoes across several countries, resulting in one fatality and at least four injuries.[1]
Despite their similar areas, Europe sees significantly fewer tornadoes than the United States. Geography plays a major role in this discrepancy, with the unique features in North America making areas like Tornado Alley ideal for severe weather, while many of these conditions are generally less optimal in Europe. However, the under-reporting of weaker tornadoes across the continent also contributes to this.[5][2] This under-reporting primarily stems from a lack of pan-European collaboration in monitoring tornadoes, resulting in less public and institutional awareness of them or their danger or the real threat they pose, despite many occurrences of violent, damaging, and deadly tornadoes across the continent.[6][2]
Tornado activity in Europe typically peaks in the summer months and is lowest during the winter months. More specifically, Central and Northern Europe peak in the summer, the western and central Mediterranean regions peak in autumn, and the eastern Mediterranean region peaks in the winter. Tornadoes over land most often occur in the late afternoon and early evening hours. On the other hand, waterspouts, which sometimes move ashore in coastal areas and become tornadoes, peak in late spring and typically occur earlier in the day.[2]
Season summary
Note: Unrated tornadoes are counted as IFU on the graphs
January was very active, with 24 tornadoes reported, including five rated IF2. The first half of the month was relatively inactive, while the final week produced 17 tornadoes overall, including three strong IF2 tornadoes in Turkey, France, and Spain. It also featured the longest-track tornado in Europe so far, which occurred in Mios, France, and had a path length of 23.3 km. In total, four injuries and one fatality were reported. The fatality occurred when three kitesurfers were caught in a probable waterspout off Tayo Beach in Tel Aviv; one 40-year-old man was lofted approximately 150 meters and fatally injured after being thrown into rocks, while another man sustained minor injuries.[1] February was average overall, as the final week of the month did not produce a single tornado due to the Azores High bringing warm and dry conditions across much of Europe.
The tornado destroyed a poultry farm, killing approximately 30,000–40,000 chickens. Two other buildings were heavily damaged, with partially collapsed walls. The church of Agios Georgios, watchtowers and other facilities were also damaged.[1][8]
8 January event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Thursday, 8 January 2026[b]
A tornado hit the villages of Karacalar and Sülek, causing extensive damage to buildings. The roofs of at least six buildings were damaged, barn walls collapsed, numerous greenhouses were destroyed, and trees were uprooted or snapped. A parked Fiat car was swept approximately four meters away and overturned. A 20-year-old woman who was near the scene was struck by the car and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.[1][10]
9 January event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, 9 January 2026[b]
1 death – Three kitesurfers were caught in a probable waterspout off the coast of Tayo Beach. As they were caught in the vortex, they lost control and were expelled at high speeds from the waterspout. One highly experienced kitesurfer, a 40-year-old male, was severely injured and later died from his injuries after flying 150 meters and slamming into a rock. Another 40-year-old man was injured lightly. The waterspout made brief landfall on the beach, where it caused no further damage.[1][11]
12 January event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Monday, 12 January 2026[b]
Tornado touched down and did damage, a church's roof was fully torn off and damaged other roofs. Other roofs were torn off in Riocaud and Les-Lève.[1][13]Rated EF1 By KERAUNOS.[14]
Tornado hit the neighborhoods Kundu and Kumköy of Aksu. Along the Aksu River, boats were lifted and thrown for ~100m. Traffic signs were also downed. A 75-yr-old man was injured.[1][17]
A strong tornado passed through the northern and eastern parts of the city. In the vicinity of the Virgen del Puerto Hospital, the roof of the parking structure was torn off, and more than 50 cars were damaged.[21][22] Damage was also reported on Dolores Ibárruri Avenue and in the Ciudad Jardín neighborhood.[23] No injuries were reported.[1]
31 January event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, 31 January 2026[b]
The tornado damaged approximately 300 homes.[24] It tore off roofs, collapsed walls, and blew away garden sheds, some of which were carried dozens of meters away. Numerous trees along the A63 motorway were downed. No injuries were reported.[1] Rated EF1 By KERAUNOS.[25]
A tornado struck Ahatlar and one other village. At least one roof was torn off, while many others were damaged. The mosque tower was also damaged, and trees were uprooted.[1][26][27]
A waterspout made landfall on Corfu, tearing off at least three roofs and destroying a municipal kiosk. An olive grove along with its vegetation was destroyed.[1][28][29]
6 February event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, 6 February 2026[b]
The tornado uprooted numerous trees and damaged approximately 60 homes. After crossing into Belgium, it quickly dissipated. Rated EF1 by KERAUNOS.[1][33]
17 February event
List of confirmed tornadoes – Tuesday, 17 February 2026[b]
↑Öztürk, Erdoğan (18 February 2026). "Hortum yıktı geçti". Sabah. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
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