Severe Weather Heightens in March

 

March tornado averages (Source: NOAA)

March typically sees an uptick in severe weather across the central and southern United States.  That’s compared to the quieter fall and winter months when severe weather outbreaks are few and far between. 

There are very specific criteria that make a thunderstorm “severe,” including the presence of any of the following: wind gusts of at least 58 mph; hail 1”/+ in diameter; or a tornado.  There have been some notable March severe weather outbreaks in recent years:

2020: There was a severe weather outbreak March 1 from Missouri to Tennessee.  Lots of large hail was reported with sightings of 2” to 3” in diameter.  A series of tornadoes occurred late in the evening and continued into the early morning hours of March 2, primarily in Tennessee.  There were a total of 20 tornadoes that caused 31 fatalities according to NOAA.  The strongest tornado that touched down was an EF-4 in Putnam County, Tennessee, with winds between 166 mph and 200 mph.

2018: A total of 27 confirmed tornadoes developed across the southeastern United States on March 19.  Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.  This is the favored region for severe weather during March since atmospheric conditions are often the most conducive in this part of the country.

2012: March 2012 was the warmest March on record in the Nation’s Capital and for much of the United States.  Consequently, there was a significant amount of severe weather during the month.  The most significant outbreak occurred on March 2, when there was a total of 160 confirmed tornadoes from Illinois to South Carolina.  A total of 29 fatalities were reported during this outbreak. 

2009: The severe weather that occurred on March 29 was noteworthy for where it took place.  There were dozens of reports of severe hail from Maryland to Connecticut.  A confirmed EF-1 tornado occurred near the town of Lititz in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  It had winds between 86 mph and 110 mph during its 1.25 mile long track and three injuries were reported.  Fortunately, there were no fatalities.

As accurate as weather warnings have become, if people are sleeping or don’t get the latest information, then that’s a recipe for disaster.  While smartphone technology has greatly improved the ability to relay the latest critical weather news to the public, it isn’t 100% effective yet.  That’s why a NOAA weather radio or the NOAA weather alerts app for your smart phone is a good idea.