What’s scarier than a hurricane? Well, there are plenty of things that are scarier than a category 1 or even a category 3 hurricane. However, when it comes to tornadoes, there is plenty to fear. Tornadoes move quickly, they can be unpredictable in their paths, as well as where they touch down. The have fast, destructive winds.
How fast? Well, like hurricanes, tornadoes have a scale for measurement, the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The Fujita Scale came about in 1971, at the University of Chicago. Initially, the scale ranged from F0-F13, but the scale currently used scores or rates tornadoes from F0-F5. An F0 tornado sees wind speeds of 40-72 mph with light damage. The F5 sees wind speeds of 261-318 mph with incredible damage. In 2007, the Fujita Scale was retired and replaced with the Enhanced Fujita Scale, and the scale now ranges from EF0-EF5.
Is there really a tornado season?
Yes. Unlike hurricane season, tornado season is fairly brief, running April-June. Spring is when the US sees the most tornadoes and the most violent tornadoes, and they are seen in Tornado Alley, a section of the US that sees most of the US tornadoes every year.
Interestingly, this year, the first tornadoes (and the first deadly tornado) happened in February. However, April has, thus far, been a quiet and slow month, to the point that Oklahoma is nearing a record low for April. To date, about 255 tornadoes have reportedly touched down, well below the ten year average of 371. I would suspect that the particularly cool winter/spring and the late cold snaps have helped keep the tornado season light.
Later this week, we will post how to prepare for tornadoes and what to expect.
Hunker Down! 