Why do tornadoes rarely strike in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan?

Question

i live in the Upper Peninsula, and was wondering why we really never have a tornado. Not like they would be very benifical or anything, but the last tornado i remember was probably ten years ago.

Answer 1

The great lakes causes the temp to drop when a supercell is forming, which is needed for a tornado. Rapid movement of warm air on the ground which vertically lifts into the atmosphere. It's just the location... it isn't perfect for tornados.

But there has been a number of tornados up there... take a look on google and see

Answer 2

Tornadoes happen where warm wet air collides with a cold front..

Answer 3

I'm not an expert in this, but stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

To the best of my knowledge, tornadoes have the greatest chances of forming when upper level winds are around 90 degrees from winds at ground level. This starts the air spinning within the thunderstorm.

Most of Michigan usually has wind patterns that are closer to 180 degrees different, so we get gust fronts (squall lines). (strong straight line winds).

I saw a tornado along M-28 in Raco near SSM a few years ago. The western UP is more prone to tornadoes because of the heated air.  I would hope Lake Superior is the biggest moderator of this as suggested.