This page documents all tornadoes confirmed by various weather forecast offices of the National Weather Service in the United States in May 2024. Tornado counts are considered preliminary until final publication in the database of the National Centers for Environmental Information. Based on the 1991–2020 average, about 268 tornadoes occur in May.^[1] Activity spreads northward and westward in May, with the maxima moving into the Midwest and the Great Plains as the springtime jet stream patterns tend to occur farther north (while the South begins to see decreasing activity), while the potential for tornadic activity also increases in the Northeastern United States.^[2]

May was a very active, violent, and deadly month for tornadoes. The trend of widespread, relentless tornadic weather that started at the end of April continued into May and only two of the 31 days in the month had no confirmed tornadoes. This included EF4 tornadoes in Oklahoma and Iowa, as well as dozens of strong to intense tornadoes. It was the first time since 2013 that multiple violent tornadoes occurred in Oklahoma in the same year.^[3] By May 21, May had exceeded its average tornado count, making it the first time since 2019 that May was above average, with only that year, 2003, 2004 and 2008 featuring similar tornado counts in May previously. It finished with 471 tornadoes with ongoing surveys and analyses that may confirm more tornadoes; also, 26 tornadic fatalities were confirmed. In addition to the tornadoes, three derechos occurred during the month as well.