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.

www.washingtonpost.com

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

The EPA erases mention of human-caused climate change from its website

Not all drilling in Texas is about oil

NextEra teams with Google, Exxon in massive AI build-out

Pennsylvania will study a plan to keep new natural gas pads farther from homes, schools and hospitals

‘Complete roller coaster’: EPA probationary staff returns to work

‘It’s not safe to live here.’ Colombia is deadliest country for environmental defenders

Recent droughts hit the top cattle counties hardest

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.