Fewer tornadoes than normal this year - so far

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Posted 3:05PM on Monday, March 25, 2002

WASHINGTON - It's been a mild year for tornadoes so far, but the National Weather Service warned Monday there's still plenty of time for them to strike. The agency said that just 11 tornadoes have been reported so far this year, well below the 178 usually experienced by mid-March. "Things could easily turn around, making this an above-average year," said Joseph Schaefer, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, "It's just too early to say that we have lucked out." Schaefer said "the storm pattern is starting to pick up pace with strong cold fronts coming through. I'd be surprised if the slow start continues." So far this year the strong storms that spawn twisters have been blocked by the track of storm movement. "Typically winter season tornadoes are the result of large weather systems which cross the country, bringing cold air down from Canada and drawing warm moist air up from the Gulf of Mexico. The collision of air masses helps to spawn tornadic thunderstorms," Schaefer explained. This year the storm tracks either stayed to the north or moved right along the Gulf coast, so the moist air and the cold didn't have the chance to collide and form tornadoes. In an average yeas about 70 Americans are killed by tornadoes with 1,500 injured. Typically there are 1,200 tornadoes per year causing more than $400 million in damage. Peak tornado activity occurs during March through early July and officials called on the public to be aware of the danger and prepared to go to a shelter if necessary. "When the National Weather Service issues a tornado or severe thunderstorm watch, it means the atmosphere is ready to produce severe storms. By monitoring changing weather conditions, you will be prepared for the warning from your local forecast office," Schaefer said. ------ On the Net: National Weather Service: http://weather.gov