South at Greater Risk for Tornadoes than Currently Realized, based on Analysis

Focusing on the area historically known as “Tornado Alley,” which spans from Texas to South Dakota, fails to convey the full story of tornado danger in the U.S., according to an analysis conducted by USA Today. According to the analysis, tornadoes are occurring more often across the South than ever before. Overall, 20 states saw an increase in tornado activity when comparing annual data from 1980 to 1999 with 2000 to 2019, which includes states outside of Tornado Alley such as Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi. A contributing factor to the increase could be that many tornadoes form in storms born in warm moist air off the Gulf of Mexico, where scientists say the waters are warming. The piece also notes the role of regional risk factors, noting they contributed to increased fatalities. For example, more people live closer together in the South than in the Plains, and that puts more people in harm’s way when a tornado develops. Access the analysis at USA Today.