In January and February 2012, the local weather forecast offices of the National Weather Service confirmed 134 tornadoes in the United States, indicating an above-average period of tornadic activity. On average, 64 tornadoes occur in the first two months of the year, with 35 occurring in January and 29 in February. However, in 2012, the count for the two months was 79 and 55, respectively. The first confirmed tornado in January (and 2012) was an EF0 tornado which struck Fort Bend County in Texas at 1445 UTC on January 9. The last tornado of February was an EF0 that affected Blount County in Tennessee at 0030 UTC on March 1, though in terms of Central Time Zone, where the tornado took place, it was still February 29. The period's strongest tornado was ranked as an EF4 and occurred on February 29 in Saline and Gallatin counties in Illinois. Total economic losses in the United States from the first two months of 2012 amounted to over $600 million.

January 2012 was the third-most active January for tornadoes in the United States since 1950, with 79 tornadoes, behind 1999 and 2008. Two deaths occurred in Alabama on January 23. The activity was the result of a strong La Niña, which contributed to the fourth-warmest January in the United States in recorded history. The unseasonal temperatures led to numerous tornadoes throughout the month, primarily in three tornado outbreaks. The month's largest tornado outbreak occurred from January 25–27, when 27 tornadoes formed across the Southern United States. However, none of these tornadoes exceeded EF1 intensity. A similarly widespread tornado outbreak occurred from January 22–23 and featured 25 tornadoes, of which 10 were classified as significant and thus exceeded EF1 intensity. Throughout the month, tornadoes caused at least $150 million of damage.

February 2012 was slightly less active, with 55 tornadoes, but was still above average. Similar to January, temperatures in the United States were anomalously warm, and the month ranked as the fifteenth-warmest February on record. However, tornadic activity was sparse throughout much of the month, before a large multi-day tornado outbreak took place across the Great Plains and the Ohio River Valley towards the end of the month. The strongest tornado, ranked as an EF4, struck Harrisburg, Illinois on February 29, killing eight. Overall, 15 people were killed during the outbreak, and tornadoes caused $450 million in damages.

United States yearly total

January

January 9 event List of reported tornadoes – Monday, January 9, 2012 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageTexas EF0E of FulshearFort Bend1445A few trees and power lines were downed and a paddle boat was lifted into a tree. First United States tornado of 2012. EF1SE of ClodineFort Bend1505Several houses were damaged, with one suffering significant roof damage and ten others sustaining minor roof damage. Several fences were downed as well. EF0NNW of OteyBrazoria1715Brief tornado damaged a barn and destroyed a shed near Brazos Bend State Park. EF0ENE of ChenangoBrazoria1732Brief tornado destroyed a shed and blew the top off a rice dryer. EF0SSE of BonneyBrazoria1734Brief tornado rolled over two semi-trucks on Highway 288. EF0SE of DickinsonGalveston1855Roof damage occurred at the Mall of the Mainland with one roof collapsing due to a combination of rain and tornadic winds. Trees were downed in the parking lot. A shed was thrown as well.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 01/09/12, NWS Houston/Galveston

January 11 event List of reported tornadoes – Wednesday, January 11, 2012 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageNorth Carolina EF2NW of EllenboroRutherford2222The tornado was first very weak, peeling siding and roofing off of a shed. As it continued to the northeast on an intermittent path, it caused minor to major damage to site-built homes and completely destroyed two mobile homes. Several outbuildings were destroyed and numerous trees and power lines were downed. Ten people were injured. EF2Hildebran areaBurke2304The tornado initially downed trees and caused minor roof damage to several houses before moving northeast on an intermittent path. It then intensified and damaged dozens of homes, with some mobile homes being completely destroyed and most of the roofing being removed from some frame houses. The tornado then weakened, causing sporadic tree and structural damage before lifting near Interstate 40. One hundred and sixty-eight structures were either damaged or destroyed and eight people were injured. EF0SE of Granite FallsCaldwell2318Brief tornado downed trees and flipped several boats and a dock at a marina. The marina itself suffered minor roof damage.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 01/11/12, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

January 17 event List of reported tornadoes – Tuesday, January 17, 2012 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageIndiana EF0SW of HuntingburgDuBois1444An outbuilding was destroyed. EF1NE of HuntingburgDuBois1454Numerous outbuildings were destroyed, a grain hopper was knocked over, and dozens of trees were knocked down. EF0MadisonJefferson1540A large dumpster was moved. A plane and awning were damaged and siding torn from a hangar at Madison Municipal Airport. Several trees were snapped. EF1Floyd KnobsFloyd1600A garage was destroyed and multiple trees were knocked down. EF0 NNE of ClarksvilleClark1606Intermittent tornado overturned a vehicle, knocked down fences, and tore the roof off a barn.Kentucky EF1N of St. MatthewsJefferson, Oldham1612Multiple trees were knocked down and homes sustained minor roof damage. The wall of an indoor tennis court and the roof of a barn collapsed. Two semi trailers were blown over, injuring one of the drivers. EF1NNW of Fern CreekJefferson1620Brief tornado snapped multiple trees, tore shingles and siding from multiple homes, and blew in the door and lifted the roof of a garage. EF1NNE of MidwayScott1712Two barns were destroyed and another was damaged. Numerous trees were downed. Some fences were blown down. EF2SW of ScottsvilleSimpson, Allen1820A well-built brick house lost its roof and another home suffered severe roof damage. Garages, barns, and outbuildings were destroyed. A jeep and camper were blown some distance.Tennessee EF0NNE of SmyrnaRutherford1927Dozens of trees were snapped or uprooted. Several homes received moderate roof damage and a camper was blown on its side.Mississippi EF2NE of Sandy HookMarion2202Two injuries. A well-anchored single wide trailer and a well-built shed were destroyed with the contents tossed into nearby woods. A wood-frame home had damage to one wall and numerous shingles were torn off.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 01/17/12, NWS Louisville, KY, NWS Nashville, TN, NWS Jackson, MS

January 21 event List of reported tornadoes – Saturday, January 21, 2012 EF# Location County Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Comments/DamageGeorgia EF1SSE of NewnanCoweta1710Dozens of large trees were snapped or uprooted. Ten houses received minor damage, primarily as a result of falling trees and debris affecting the roof structures. EF1N of OglethorpeMacon2045Two chicken houses were destroyed and another received significant damage. Around five houses received roof damage and one house was completely destroyed. EF0NW of PinehurstDooly2115Several trees were snapped or uprooted and one power pole was downed along a non-continuous damage path.Sources: SPC Storm Reports for 01/21/12, NWS Peachtree City, GA

January 22 event