Severe Weather Awareness

I recently wrote about the differences between weather “watches” and “warnings” as well as what the criteria is that makes a thunderstorm “severe.” That’s timely since Maryland is currently observing “Severe Weather Awareness” week. Sponsored by the National Weather Service, a lot of public outreach is being done this week to help better inform the public about thunderstorm basics and safety tips.

According to data from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Florida averages the most thunderstorms in a given year while Texas sees the most tornadoes. Of the fifty states, Florida averages the most thunderstorms because of its proximity to warm, tropical water on three sides. Texas sees the most tornadoes because it’s the largest and southernmost state in “Tornado Alley.”

“Tornado Alley” is a region in the central United States that sees the highest concentration of tornadoes of anywhere in the world. That’s because of its characteristic flat geography combined with the different air masses that often collide there during the spring months. Whenever cold, dry air from Canada and the Rocky Mountains collides with warmer, more humid air from the Deep South, then powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes sometimes ensue.

Although the United States see a higher frequency of severe weather and tornadoes later in the spring, March has also had some significant severe weather outbreaks. According to the Storm Prediction Center, there were nearly 700 reports of severe weather (including over 130 confirmed tornadoes) from Illinois to Alabama on March 2, 2012. On March 12, 2006, there were 140 confirmed tornadoes from Oklahoma to Illinois. On March 27, 1994, there was another severe weather outbreak that included over two dozen tornadoes in the Deep South. The deadliest of which caused 22 fatalities in Alabama. 

According to NOAA, March sees an average of 80 tornadoes nationwide, but that number more than triples by May (which averages more than 270 tornadoes). So that’s why education and preparedness is so important in protecting yourself against severe weather and tornadoes. It’s vital to understand the difference between a weather “watch” and “warning” so you know when to take appropriate action to ensure your safety. Getting the latest weather forecasts from your favorite source, such as the WUSA9 weather team, is important all year long. That’s especially true during severe weather season in April, May and June.