Do you think that the incidents of bad weather (tornadoes, hail,damaging winds) is getting more violent?

Question

I am noticing that here in my area of the country that storms are getting worse and more frequent. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Early prediction reports say that this year should be abnormally high in numbers of tornados and hurricanes. The Official weather/climate guys said that el nina and warmer arctic regions this year in combination, are generating the conditions for higher than normal storm systems that tornados come out of, and have predicted 3 major hurricanes and 9 average hurricanes could hit U.S. shores this year. (I didn't catch the reasons for the higher number of hurricanes.)

We were informed of this higher than normal storm year in late February, but it doesn't appear that many took note, because of the constant responses of shock and awe about tornados hitting in early season and in unusual locations around the Country. Remember, we were told, and it is up to us to be prepared!!

Answer 2

the weather patterns are definitely changing. i read that recently the jet stream has shifted north leaving the area south of it open to the storms that come off the gulf of mexico. it's probably a natural thing and not man made. weather patterns change on our planet from time to time. as far as getting worse, i think it's just going on in unusual places and early in the year.

Answer 3

This is very tough to say.  There are many causes and factors that are involved.  For one an increase in the population and increase of population in more rural areas.  Due to this the chances increase of someone spotting a tornado and then relaying this information to either the National Weather Service, Local News Outlet, or Local Law Enforcement.  If relayed to the later two they will relay this to the NWS and they will send a survey team out an investigate.  This could be one reason for increased tornado numbers over the past decade or so.  

The same thing goes with hail and damaging wind reports.  There are more skywarn spotters who are out there and able to report these conditions back to the NWS.  

It also to could be just some sort of cycle.  The type of pattern that is in place as well would have a major affect.

Answer 4

Yes I do, I dont know if you heard about the Nappanee Indiana tornado that happen in October, But I live 40 minutes away and I saw that storm heading in that direction and I was outside watching it and praying to make it passed my house. I also saw Nappanee after that because I volunteered to help and in did so much damage to that poor town it was heartbreaking

Answer 5

Springtime can be characterized as the clash of the airmasses.   During this time the Artic Jet Stream meanders northward while the Subtropical Jet Stream begins it's track in the southern states.   When you have outbreaks of severe weather,  you must have colder air aloft creating lift.  The colder the air from the north, the more violent the storms.

Additionally you have low leve moist air from the Gulf of Mexico near the surface.  As the cold air shifts eastward,  it runs over the warmer moist air.  Couple that with day time heating at the surface and you start to get the elements necessary to create instability.  

Below is a depiction of the Jet Stream.  Notice how at the start the Jet dips into the midwestern states and then shifts across the country.   That trough of low pressure carries that cold air along until it moves east and northeast and into the arctic regions once again.    

It is when these airmasses meet that the weather gets crazy.

I don't believe weather is getting more violent as a consequence of global climate changes because change is inevitable and occurs every year.

Answer 6

I absolutely think they are.. I actually just posted a question myself about this before I realized there were others.. When I was in Southern Illinois not to long ago we went through hail and damaging winds..then had a horrible ice storm and lost power for a week.. Then sever flooding.. Then an earthquake which woke everyone up out of bed!! Even my 70 year old Grandma doesn't remember a time when weather was this bazaar! I've heard lots of talk about it being the end of the world.

Answer 7

Same old, same old. Worst hurricane season on record... 1936. Worst tornado season on reacord...1962 (biggest outbreak from supercells)

   When they are close, they seem more severe. I was in Puerto Rico for Hurricane Georges (a Cat.3) and it was the fiercest thing I've ever experienced....I can't even imagine what a Cat 5 must be like!!!

Answer 8

yes, for sure. Our world is always changing and adapting so therefore we always get different types of weather like ice ages and such :)

Answer 9

Yes! It is true... Slowly slowly people are realizing that weather is going nuts on us! One day it can be the nicest day we can ever want and the next day can be a tornado at almost freezing temperatures... These drastic changes are because of global warming! It is ruining the balance of nature on this planet... So the more we pollute this world... The more weather is going to get worst and worst...