Why does Europe not get Tornadoes?

The climate and topography of Europe does not support the formation of substantial numbers of tornadoes in most of Europe. The ideal conditions prevail throughout central North America (the US), which is also a much larger region of generally homogeneous climate.

But tornadoes do happen in Europe, and tornado sightings as well as tornado casualties and fatalities have been recorded in Europe since the 11th century.

Because of the number of countries in Europe and the different languages being spoken, news of such events didn't always cross the borders from the nation where a tornado appeared (this has obviously changed in recent decades). Although in size the tornadoes in Europe generally don't compare to those in the central US, they are in some cases just as powerful, and a number of of category F4 and F5 tornadoes have been responsible for thousands of deaths and much property damage.

However, intense tornadoes of F3 and higher intensity are not nearly as common in Europe as they are in the US.