Weather researchers at Iowa State University have reported a record number of tornadoes this spring, with more than 100 being reported in Iowa in May alone. The total number of tornadoes in the region in May was 1,100, more than twice the 30-year average. One of the most devastating tornadoes killed five people and injured dozens in rural Greenfield, Iowa.
According to ISU Severe Weather Meteorologist and Professor of Meteorology William Gallus, the extreme heat from a changing climate has increased ocean temperatures, contributing to this year’s storms. Warm ocean temperatures from the Gulf of Mexico, fueled by record high temperatures in Mexico and Texas, have played a significant role in the severe weather patterns observed this year. The shift from El Niño to La Niña, resulting in cooler seas and drier weather, may lead to a decrease in tornado activity for the rest of the season.
Gallus noted that the high number of tornadoes in the region this year was unexpected, as climate change models predict below-average tornado numbers for Iowa and neighboring states west of the Mississippi River. He also mentioned that while tornadoes are occurring on fewer days each year, they are forming in clusters and with greater intensity. Some storms listed as Category F3 may actually be F5 tornadoes, but measurement methods in certain areas are inadequate to accurately gauge the intensity of the storms.
The recent tornado outbreak and its connection to shifting climate patterns highlight the importance of continued research and monitoring of severe weather events.
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