There is a bright side to the cold winter that gripped the nation in 2010. The cold weather pattern was so strong that there was no way for any warm, moist air to move in. With no temperature contrasts, and no collisions of different air masses, there weren’t too many thunderstorm outbreaks during the first three months of this year.
Normally, the severe/tornado season gets going along the Gulf Coast and the southeast in mid February. In March it picks up from the ArkLaTex to the lower Ohio Valley. April is prime tornado season for much of western Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. May is usually busy from Nebraska to the Canadian border and anywhere in between the Rockies and the Appalachians.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, over the past three years November, December, and January are the slower months for tornadoes. April, May, and June are the busy months, with May being the most active month for tornadoes in the United States. In January, we’ve averaged 37 tornadoes nationwide over the past three years, 78 for February, and 138 for March. So far this year, 41 in January, 1 in February, and 14 so far this month. This is about 22% of normal. The lone tornado in February was in southern California of all places. California only experiences on average 4 tornadoes per year! Will this trend continue? Not too sure yet, but the three most active tornado months are upon us.
Fortunately most tornadoes that occur in Louisiana are weak. They can do considerable damage as well as cause injuries or deaths. Unfortunately, many of the killer tornadoes in Louisiana have occurred at night, or are rain wrapped. Because of this, the sleeping person may not have gotten the warning ahead of time, or wouldn’t be able to see the storm coming. The safest place to take cover is in the center part of your home on the lowest floor. Try to put as many walls between you and outside. Stay away from windows, and if possible, cover yourself with blankets or pillows to protect yourself from flying debris. Schools, government facilities, and businesses should have a Tornado Action Plan in place and should be tested at least twice a year. Television, weather radios, email, and text messaging are other ways to get early warnings. The more time you have to take cover, the better your chances for survival.
StormTeam3 Meteorologist Dave Baker
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