Tornadoes Are Jumping the Gun in 2022

Late last month, dozens of tornadoes ripped through the South. Including in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Two people were killed and many were injured. Thousands of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. 

The tornado outbreak included at least one EF-3 storm. Meaning winds of 158 to 206 miles per hour. Debris was strewn over many miles. Tens of thousands lost power.

Apparently the weather gods do not own a calendar. April, May and June are supposed to be the most dangerous months for tornadoes in the United States. But the carnage started early this year.

2021 was a busy tornado season

It doesn’t take a meteorologist to understand that violent weather is becoming more frequent in America. And more extreme.

In 2021, there were more than 1,300 confirmed tornadoes. The average is about 1,200. They resulted in more than 100 deaths.

A total of 539 of the tornadoes were rated EF0 (65-85 mph winds) and 430 were rated EF1 (86-110 mph). A total of 102 were rated EF2 (111-135 mph), 21 were rated EF3 (136-165 mph) and three were rated EF4 (166-200 mph).

The EF4 tornadoes were reported in Georgia during March, and in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky in December.

Storms thrive in spring

Why is spring a more dangerous time for tornadoes? Because that’s when atmospheric ingredients join forces to create the perfect storm.

A tornado is most likely to occur when a storm system is propelled by a strong southward dip in the jet stream into an area where warm and humid air is flowing northward.

That jet stream provides the wind shear, or changing wind speed and direction with height. This supports the rotating of supercell thunderstorms.

 

From the Earth’s surface up to a few thousand feet, a strong wind shear increases the likelihood those supercells will produce tornadoes.

April-June often features strongest tornadoes

Weather history shows that April, May and June are the months with the most potential for tornadoes. Both for the number of storms and their intensity.

More than 50 percent of tornadoes from 1999 to 2018 occurred during those months. There are an average of 272 tornadoes in May in America. That’s followed by June with an average of 202 and April at 189.

The percentage of tornadoes occurring from April through June rises when only the strongest tornadoes are considered. 

For example, of the 59 F5/EF5 tornadoes (wind speeds over 261 mph) occurring since 1950, 49 were in those three months. 

Prepare for the worst

There’s no way to know if this year’s tornado season will be similar or worse than last year’s. But with the start we’ve had, it doesn’t look promising.

The key is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Let’s take a look at some ways to get ready for a rough tornado season.

First and foremost, make sure your emergency response plan is in place. Whether you are home or at the office, everyone should know what to do and where to take shelter if a tornado warning is issued.

If conditions are right for a tornado to develop, a tornado watch will be issued. If a tornado warning is announced, that means a tornado has been spotted in your area. You should seek shelter immediately.

What to do during a tornado

Here are 5 steps to take during a tornado, according to Ready.gov.

  • If you’re indoors, get to a basement, storm cellar or the lowest level of a building. Stay away from windows, doors, corners of buildings and outside walls.
  •  If you’re indoors but can’t get to a lower level, find the smallest interior room or hallway as far from the exterior of the building as possible.
  • If you’re driving, try to head to the closest structure where you can take shelter.
  • If you’re driving but can’t get to a shelter, get out of the car and lie face down with your hands over your head in a ditch or other lower level near the roadway but away from vehicles.
  •  If you’re driving and you see a tornado, don’t try to outrun it. Pull over immediately and seek shelter. Avoid overpasses, bridges, tall buildings and flying debris.

Once a tornado passes, you may not be out of the woods yet. Most people who suffer post-tornado injuries get hurt while trying to clean up debris. Including glass and nails.

Also keep an eye out for downed power lines, ruptured gas lines and damaged structures.  

Items to keep handy

Make sure to sign up for your community’s warning system. The CDC recommends we have the following items on hand:

  • A tactical flashlight, a battery-operated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio and extra batteries.
  • An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and routes to safety from each room.
  •  A list of important personal information. Including phone numbers of neighbors, family and friends, and insurance and property information. Plus phone numbers of utility companies and medical information.
  • A 3-5-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food.
  • Personal hygiene items.
  • Blankets or sleeping bags.
  • An emergency kit in your vehicle.
  •  A first-aid kit. Including non-latex gloves, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment and sterile gauze pads. As well as absorbent compress dressings, tweezers and scissors. Plus adhesive cloth tape, aspirin packets and a first-aid instruction booklet.

Once you’ve done all that, there’s one thing remaining. Practice your plan with your family.

The average time between a tornado warning and an actual tornado is only a few minutes. You’ll be able to make those minutes count if you’re prepared. 

HaloXT to the rescue 

Earlier I mentioned the importance of having a tactical flashlight handy. My recommendation is the HaloXT from 4Patriots. It’s as sturdy as they come. Despite the fact that it’s small, lightweight and easy to handle.

It’s made from aluminum alloy so it’s very durable. It knows how to handle abuse. You can drop it or bang it, and it will still perform perfectly. It’s weather-resistant, shock-resistant and corrosion-resistant. 

Now, the HaloXT Tactical Flashlight with its nine light functions, small solar panels, glass breaker, seatbelt cutter and compass will keep working even if you drop it. 

But you don’t want to drop it while you’re using it. That’s why we’ve given it an anti-slip handle and an adjustable wrist strap. It even has a magnet so you can secure it to your car and use both hands to work.

I hope by now you’re convinced you need a HaloXT Tactical Flashlight. Or perhaps several of them.

Here’s how you can get yours...

Leave a comment

*Required Fields