Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Question:  I have heard that tornadoes have struck every single
state.  If this is so, I would like to know when did it occur in 
Maine, Alaska and Hawaii?
 the outlaw

Answer:  Yes in all 3 states. According to the National Severe Storms 
Forecast Center for the period 1962-1991 there were 25 tornadoes in 
Hawaii (average of 1 per year) and 50 in Maine (average of 2 per year). 
In Alsaka there are several funnel cloud sightings every summer but 
there have been no confirmed or documented tornado touchdowns. However, 
it is likely that there are occasionally tornadoes in Alaska. Any 
tornadoes that occur there a probably very small and weak, compared 
to midwest tornadoes.

Allsopp - NWS