2013 is a record low year for U.S. tornadoes

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Anthony Watts

While many climate alarmists still try to tell us that global warming will increase tornadoes, we are in the middle of a tornado drought, and well below normal. Normally we’d see 1221 tornadoes in the USA, so far for 2013, only 716 have been reported.

The map of the USA shows the distribution:

So far, we are about 200 tornadoes below this time last year, and last year was also a low event year.

When looking historically at where we are, we find that 2013 has slipped below the historical minimum, setting a new record for the ~60 years in the tornado database.

What’s more, we are well past the time of peak tornado activity, which typically occurs in spring, when we have the most collisions between warm and cold air masses over the USA. While we could certainly see a rebound, it is statistically unlikely.

Sources: NOAA Storm Prediction Center

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/online/monthly/newm.html

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/