Although tornadoes are commonly associated with the central United States, their presence in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico has increased in recent years. These phenomena, although less frequent than hurricanes, can be just as destructive.
For businesses, it is important to know the tornado season forecast because these events can mean operational interruptions, structural damage and large economic losses if an adequate preparedness strategy is not in place.
What is a tornado and why should you be concerned as a business owner?
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that extends from a storm cloud to the ground.
It can reach speeds of over 300 km/h and cause severe damage within minutes.
Although its duration is short, its impact is immediate: destruction of facilities, power outages, loss of inventory and personnel. For companies, this represents a direct threat to operational continuity and organizational security.
When is tornado season in 2025?
Tornado season does not have an official date in the Caribbean like hurricane season, but most events are concentrated between April and August, coinciding with the seasonal transition and increased thunderstorm activity.
Puerto Rico 2025 tornado forecast
For 2025, experts anticipate a year with favorable conditions for the development of tornadoes outside their traditional areas, driven by unusual weather patterns and elevated temperatures.
In Puerto Rico, 3 to 6 weak to moderate tornadic events are expected during the year, mostly in the south and east of the island.
Caribbean 2025 tornado forecast
In the insular Caribbean, especially in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the occurrence of between 10 and 15 localized tornadoes associated with intense convective systems during the rainy season is estimated.
Regions at greatest risk in 2025
Caribbean regions historically most affected during tornado season include:
- Southern Puerto Rico.
- Central plains of Cuba.
- Mountain belt in the Dominican Republic.
- Sectors of eastern Haiti.
However, recent records show an increase in the geographic dispersion of tornadoes. This phenomenon is due in part to climate change, which has modified atmospheric patterns and increased instability in areas where these events were previously uncommon.
Even phenomena such as waterspouts, tornadoes that form over bodies of water, have become more frequent. Although they do not always touch land, they represent an additional risk, especially in coastal regions. By 2025, the threat is expected to extend to urban areas that were previously considered low risk.
Climatic factors behind the increase in tornadoes in the region
Tornado formation depends on several atmospheric factors:
- The combination of warm, moist air at the surface with cold air at altitude.
- High atmospheric instability.
- Strong jet streams at mid-levels.
- The presence of cold fronts or troughs.
The warming of the Atlantic Ocean and changes in jet stream patterns are creating conditions more conducive to a more severe tornado season in the Caribbean. In addition, the interaction between tropical systems and cold fronts has contributed to the increase of severe events in the region.
Tornado forecasting: current technologies and tools
The detection and monitoring of tornado season has improved considerably thanks to technological advances. Today, high-frequency radar, satellite imagery and numerical forecasting models are used to detect storm rotation in real time.
Although the warning window is still short, today’s tools allow for better preparedness. Recommended platforms for enterprise use include:
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
- RadarScope Pro.
- The Weather Channel Business Solutions.
- Mobile applications with automatic alerts such as Storm Shield.
These tools offer instant notifications, storm tracking and interactive maps useful for making quick and safe decisions.
Prevention measures and business preparedness for tornado season
Preparedness begins with a detailed risk assessment: identifying vulnerabilities in infrastructure, warehouses, power systems and logistics operations. Subsequently, it is key to establish a specific emergency plan for the tornado season, including:
- Evacuation protocols.
- Safe internal shelters.
- Emergency communication.
- Procedures for temporary suspension of activities.
In addition, training personnel through periodic drills allows them to act quickly, minimize damage and save lives. Companies that train their employees regularly are better positioned to deal with this type of event.
For more information on how to prepare your company click here.
At American Petroleum, we understand that continuous power and supply are critical to keeping your business operational during extreme situations. That’s why we offer practical and reliable solutions to deal with tornado season:
- Fuel storage tank rentals and station-on-wheels service for mobile or hard-to-reach operations.
- Supply of fuel, oils and lubricants to ensure the operation of your fleet or critical machinery.
- Rental of trucks for fuel dispensing, ideal for companies that need to move large volumes of energy safely.
- Personalized attention according to the specific requirements of your industry, operational size and location.
At American Petroleum we work with a preventive and strategic approach so that your business does not stop, even in challenging weather conditions.