Spring is right around the corner and I have had a couple of questions regarding the upcoming Spring tornado/severe weather season. Good valid questions regarding articles that have been circulating online. Could this Spring be active and feature a lot of severe weather activity? Yes that is a possibility. No one knows with 100% certainty the future and how this upcoming season will be but recent years have showed us that Dixie Alley is becoming more active especially the Tennessee Valley, parts of Georgia, all of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and surrounding states. Some articles are comparing this year to the Spring of 2011 particularly April 27th 2011 based on the Enso phase and sea surface temperatures. Are they similar this year? Yes but a tornado outbreak the magnitude of that specific day and month while not impossible it is very rare and highly unlikely to see that again soon. Recent research has identified the southeastern United States as being more vulnerable to tornadoes. Factors such as longer and larger tornado paths, expanding population density, mobile-home density and higher nighttime tornado probabilities were reasons of increasing concern. What causes severe weather and what ingredients are needed? Severe weather is possible when large storm systems have several ingredients such as wind shear a difference in wind speed or direction over a short distance in the atmosphere, CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) storm energy, there is an acronym known as S.L.I.M. Shear, Lift, Instability and Moisture. Lift is needed to get thunderstorms started. Cold fronts, dry lines, sea breezes and changes in terrain can be sources of lift. The mountains can provide lift. Instability is an important ingredient as well Supercells can form when the atmosphere is very warm and humid. Moisture is also important most of the moisture that drives and a main source is the Gulf Of Mexico. Be sure to check out the maps and photos below about recent research and safety information. Some of Georgia and Alabama’s most significant tornado events and outbreaks are: February 1884, March 1932, April 1936, 1998 featured a smaller outbreak, 2008, 1974 and 2011. 1884, 1974 and 2011 are the biggest and deadliest on record notice those years were all really far apart. Atlanta was hit hard in March of 2008. Tornadoes do affect big cities there is a myth that tornadoes don’t. Tornadoes can cross rivers and affect mountain areas and terrain. You always need to be prepared just in case. Even if one tornado hits and it hits your neighborhood technically that is your big event. Every tornado and severe weather event matters. Know where you are on a map warnings are issued by county. Respect the tornado warning polygon. Regardless of the risk category Marginal, Slight, Enhanced, Moderate or High take each one seriously. Have multiple ways to receive warnings several apps and a NOAA Weather radio you can program them for your specific county every home needs one because it can wake you up in the middle of the night if you are sleeping and a tornado warning is issued. Early warning is your best protection. Teach your kids, grand kids, friends and family about the importance of staying weather aware especially as we approach spring. Also, make sure you all are getting up to date weather information check the time stamps and dates on weather posts. I’ll of course keep everyone informed severe weather is a possibility anytime of the year but our peak severe weather season is in March and April. My weather office has 5 weather radars with great technology. It is state of the art technology that gives earlier warnings when storms threaten which includes the ability to view storms down to street level, view real time storm reports and get instant information county by county, tell how big hail is, view storms and tornadoes in 3D and much more. If anyone has any questions regarding the weather now or in the future send me a message. No Matter The Weather I’ve Got You Covered!
Marginal does not mean no severe weather it means limited severe weather but severe weather is still very possible and tornadoes can still occur.
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