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.
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.
A former chief executive of the Bureau of Meteorology says the 67-year-old law that underpins Australia’s weather agency needs to be updated to bring it in line with the modern-day climate crisis.
