Tornadoes strike the US almost daily from late April to late May

Tornadoes strike the US almost daily from late April to late May

Nearly every day between April 25 and May 27 saw tornadoes in the U.S., marking the most active May for severe weather since 2011, with violent storms, a downburst in Houston, and massive hail.

Matthew Cappucci and Ian Livingston report for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • Tornadoes touched down on 94% of days from April 25 to May 27, surpassing other recent active periods.
  • The frequent tornadoes are due to a stagnant weather pattern that generated numerous supercells across the central states.
  • The upcoming large-scale weather pattern change may reduce tornado activity next week.

Why this matters:

The hyperactive tornado season emphasizes the need for preparedness and robust warning systems. With climate change potentially intensifying such storms, understanding these patterns will be important for mitigating future impacts.

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