Toneslider12
Member
9new.com ~ Nation experiences more tornadoes than normal
BOULDER – "Way above normal." That's how a meteorologist at the local National Weather Service office describes the number of tornadoes the country has seen so far this year.
"Typically, through January or February, we'll see about an average of 40 tornadoes, that's over the last 30 or 40 years," said National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist David Barjenbruch. "This year we've already seen 204."
Barjenbruch adds that it is unusual to see such a large outbreak of tornadoes in the South, just days into their tornado season.
"It is a little early for a large outbreak, but they can happen," he said.
On Tuesday, tornadoes touched down in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. At least 50 people were killed, as homes and businesses were leveled.
Barjenbruch estimates dozens of tornadoes hit the area.
"To see the outbreak that we saw yesterday, is a big day," he said. "In fact, it's the biggest tornado day since May 3, 1999 when the Oklahoma City area was ravaged with tornadoes."
Barjenbruch says it's too early to predict what will happen in May when tornado season begins in Colorado.
"We'll just have to wait and see what La Nina holds for us in the summer time," he said.
Barjenbruch describes this year's La Nina weather pattern as atypical.
Wind speeds for Colorado tornadoes are typically, at least 100 mph hour slower than tornadoes in the South, according to Barjenbruch. However, he says that doesn't mean local residents should take tornado warnings lightly.
"One thing's for certain," he said. "We will see thunderstorms. We will see severe thunderstorms. And we will see tornadoes across Colorado this summer."
BOULDER – "Way above normal." That's how a meteorologist at the local National Weather Service office describes the number of tornadoes the country has seen so far this year.
"Typically, through January or February, we'll see about an average of 40 tornadoes, that's over the last 30 or 40 years," said National Weather Service Senior Meteorologist David Barjenbruch. "This year we've already seen 204."
Barjenbruch adds that it is unusual to see such a large outbreak of tornadoes in the South, just days into their tornado season.
"It is a little early for a large outbreak, but they can happen," he said.
On Tuesday, tornadoes touched down in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. At least 50 people were killed, as homes and businesses were leveled.
Barjenbruch estimates dozens of tornadoes hit the area.
"To see the outbreak that we saw yesterday, is a big day," he said. "In fact, it's the biggest tornado day since May 3, 1999 when the Oklahoma City area was ravaged with tornadoes."
Barjenbruch says it's too early to predict what will happen in May when tornado season begins in Colorado.
"We'll just have to wait and see what La Nina holds for us in the summer time," he said.
Barjenbruch describes this year's La Nina weather pattern as atypical.
Wind speeds for Colorado tornadoes are typically, at least 100 mph hour slower than tornadoes in the South, according to Barjenbruch. However, he says that doesn't mean local residents should take tornado warnings lightly.
"One thing's for certain," he said. "We will see thunderstorms. We will see severe thunderstorms. And we will see tornadoes across Colorado this summer."
