Latest news with #TornadoAlley
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
100 MPH Winds Could Hit Two U.S. States on June 17
The summer months bring warm weather, the opportunity to travel and more. They can also bring in intense weather, and one region of the United States could be dealing with massive winds on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting severe weather across "parts of the central/southern Plains and lower/mid Missouri Valley." The NWS says that the greatest concentration of this weather system could end up in both Kansas and Oklahoma. "The greatest threat for destructive gusts up to 70-100 mph" exists across both states on Tuesday, putting them in the proverbial eye of the storm. Other weather events that could potentially affect the Plains and Missouri Valley include hail, flash flooding and potentially even tornadoes. Parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska are commonly described as "Tornado Alley" due to the amount of twisters that arise between them. 89 tornadoes were reported in Kansas last year, according to data from the NWS. 91 were reported in Oklahoma, making the two states some of the most likely to face tornadoes throughout the year. Texas saw the most tornadoes in 2024 with 169, and they resulted in a total of eight fatalities. June is considered one of the more prominent months for tornadoes throughout various areas of the country. Warmer weather moves in as spring ends, bringing more variance in humidity and other factors. High winds have already been reported across Kansas this week, as a 101 MPH wind gust was felt in Wichita on Monday. The high winds knocked out power for tens of thousands in the area, and disrupted several people's commutes by taking out overhead traffic lights in the process. KOCO 5 meteorologist Jonathan Conder says that northern Oklahoma is under the most severe risk for storms, and notes that severe storms are expected to be spotted near the city of Alva. The risk decreases further into the state, with the northern part of the Oklahoma City metro area with a level two risk, and the southern part of that area under a level one risk. Comparatively, the risk in northern Oklahoma is a level four - among the highest on the scale. With hours expected until storms begin, hopefully there's been enough warning to citizens about the dangers associated with the weather. 100 MPH Winds Could Hit Two U.S. States on June 17 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 17, 2025
Washington Post
7 days ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
Why the best part of storm chasing isn't the storms
I've been a meteorologist and storm chaser for years. Public interest in storm chasing has skyrocketed since last year's debut of 'Twisters' — but it's nothing like the movies, in which predictably located and dramatically shaped funnels perform dramatic dances for dazzled onlookers. In real life, chasing storms isn't a convenient choreography between the chaser and the clouds; it's a painstaking pursuit that, even for the best chasers, is endlessly frustrating.
ABC News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Australia has up to 80 tornadoes a year, but many go unseen
When most people think of tornadoes, it's probably the striking and terrifying images from Tornado Alley in the United States. But did you know Australia records anywhere between 30 and 80 tornadoes each year? The weather events are rarely caught on camera, but earlier this week, several people filmed a tornado as it cut a path across farmland near Frankland River in southern Western Australia. With winds of more than 120kph, it pinned a farm worker against a fence, flipping his ute and damaging a tractor. Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) meteorologist Jessica Lingard said there were two types of tornadoes, with one more violent. "The first are supercell tornadoes and those spawn from supercell thunderstorms, which are the most severe form of thunderstorms," she said. "They result in our warm season tornadoes [and] usually occur during summer months." These are the tornado types that appear in the United States, some of the largest and most damaging in the world. "The other type are non-supercell tornadoes, and these usually occur along the boundaries of two air masses, like a cold front or a sea breeze," Ms Lingard said. This week's tornado in southern WA was the latter type. "Australia experiences somewhere between 30 and 80 tornadoes each year, but it is possible that many more tornadoes occur in the more remote and unpopulated parts of Australia and therefore go unreported," Ms Lingard said. The BOM has recorded rare "tornado outbreaks" in Australia where multiple tornadoes spawn from a single weather system. On September 28, 2016, seven tornadoes hit South Australia, causing mass blackouts. "There's no area in Australia that's more prone to tornadoes, but we do experience different areas of Australia having tornadoes under different circumstances," Ms Lingard said. Supercell thunderstorms, which can produce tornadoes, are most common in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and develop generally in late spring and early summer. The Enhanced Fujita scale ranges from EF0, the weakest, to EF5. The Frankland River tornado is believed to have been EF0. "Each category has a wind speed range and a list of typical damage patterns that we would expect," Ms Lingard said. She said most tornadoes recorded in Australia were rated between EF0 and EF1. Ms Lingard said a tornado that hit northern NSW in 1970 was considered the strongest on record. Known as the Bulahdelah tornado, it reportedly left a 22 kilometre trail of destruction more than 1.5km wide. "It wasn't officially rated but we estimate from the damage that it was likely to be an EF5 system," she said. "From all reports, it destroyed 1 million trees, and we also saw a 2-tonne tractor lifted up and thrown on its roof." The first tornado documented on camera in Australia was in 1911 near Marong in Victoria. It touched down near the property of a man who happened to have a camera — a rare piece of technology at the time. There are many kinds of tornado-like weather, and they are different. "A waterspout is a non-supercell tornado that occurs over water," Ms Lingard said. "Willy willies or dust devils form on clear days over hot, dry surfaces, and they are rapidly rising hot air, but they are not attached to a cloud over the top." A "cock-eyed" or "cockeye bob", while commonly thought to refer to a tornado or willy willy specifically, is actually Australian slang for any suddenly occurring storm. Ms Lingard said there was no evidence to suggest Australia was experiencing more tornadoes. But she said a growing population, armed with phone cameras, meant the storms that did happen were better documented. "Everyone's got a camera in their back pocket and access to social media to share these events," she said. This seems to be a frustration for meteorologists, with the term "mini tornado" often used in the media. "It's one of those terms that the media love to use. It either is a tornado or it isn't," Ms Lingard said. It may be surprising news, but Ms Lingard said in terms of tornadoes per square kilometre, the United Kingdom recorded the most. "Based on land size, the UK gets an average of about 33 tornadoes each year," she said. But in terms of sheer volume, tornadoes are most common in the US. "The US obviously holds the title of the country with the most overall tornadoes and the most intense, and they report well over 1,000 tornadoes a year," Ms Lingard said.
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Thousands in Oklahoma Ordered to Take Cover Now, Severe Tornado Warning
A severe tornado warning was issued early Friday morning by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, urging residents in Osage and Pawnee counties to take cover immediately. At 3:09 a.m. CDT, radar detected a severe thunderstorm with rotation, located approximately nine miles east of Marland, and moving east at 35 miles per hour. The storm was reported capable of producing a tornado and half-dollar-sized hail, prompting officials to warn that flying debris could pose significant danger to anyone caught outside without shelter. Interactive maps from showed the paths of the storms. Early Morning Tornado Threat in Northern Oklahoma The NWS in Tulsa issued a tornado warning effective from 3:10 a.m. CDT to 3:45 a.m. CDT on June 6, 2025, for Osage and Pawnee counties. Officials reported radar-indicated rotation within a severe thunderstorm east of Marland, with hazards including the potential for tornado formation and hail up to half-dollar size. The NWS advised that "flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," and noted wind damage to mobile homes, vehicles, roofs, and windows was likely. Communities at Risk and Safety Instructions Ralston and Fairfax were identified as being within or near the storm's projected path during the warning period. Residents in affected areas received instructions to immediately move to basements or interior rooms on the lowest floor of sturdy buildings, and to avoid windows. Those in vehicles, mobile homes, or outdoors were urged to seek substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris. The NWS emphasized that timely compliance with these safety instructions can be lifesaving during rapidly developing tornado threats. Wider Severe Weather Outlook for the Central U.S. The tornado warning was part of a broader severe weather pattern across the central and southern High Plains. Forecasters anticipated scattered severe thunderstorms throughout the day, with associated risks including very large hail, damaging winds, and additional tornadoes. Tornado History in the Region Oklahoma regularly experiences severe weather, as evidenced by a tornado in Norman on June 3, 2025. During that storm, the NWS confirmed a tornado, though officials reported "hardly any damage" in the Oklahoma City metro area. Nonetheless, the region saw significant rainfall, hail, heavy winds, and flooding. Preparedness and Monitoring The NWS urged continued vigilance as the storm track shifted eastward. Emergency officials stressed the importance of monitoring weather updates and local alerts. Real-time impacts and damage reports were made available through NWS networks nationwide, helping residents stay informed and safe during ongoing severe weather activity. The latest severe weather outbreak highlights the persistent tornado risk across the central United States, particularly in Oklahoma, which sits within what is often referred to as "Tornado Alley." Extreme weather events like these endanger lives, disrupt communities, and test emergency preparedness systems. Understanding and responding to warnings from the NWS remains critical for public safety, especially as spring and early summer bring a heightened risk of violent storms to the region. The NWS continued to monitor conditions in Osage, Pawnee, and surrounding counties for further tornado development, issuing updates as the situation evolved. Residents were advised to heed official warnings throughout the severe weather cycle and stay alert for any additional storm advisories or emergency instructions. Related Articles Kansas, Oklahoma Face Severe Flooding, Drivers Warned of Drowning RiskFlurry of Executions Scheduled Over Four DaysHow to Watch Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech: Live Stream College Softball World Series, TV ChannelHow to Watch Texas vs Oklahoma: Live Stream Women's College World Series, TV Channel 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should Tennesseans get flood insurance amid hurricane season?
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., (WATE) — It has been a little over eight months since remnants of Hurricane Helene devastated parts of East Tennessee, and now hurricane season is back until November. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance is urging people to be prepared. They suggest having a plan in place if severe weather were to hit your area, and stress the importance of protecting your home with flood insurance. Between hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes, Josh Witt with The Insurance Group said now is a good time look into protecting your home. Tellico Plains families fighting to regain full access to historic cemetery 'Especially as weather patterns are changing, we're starting to see like Tornado Alley used to be through Oklahoma and Texas, It's shifted almost actually in Middle Tennessee, Middle and West Tennessee,' said Witt. 'So as weather patterns shift, rain starts happening more. We saw with Hurricane Helene, that was all flood insurance and it's just not covered by homeowner's policy.' He said both flood and earthquake insurance is not covered by general home insurance but nearly everyone in Knoxville and the greater East Tennessee area should have it. 'There are tons of floodplains around Knoxville, obviously, with all the lakes and rivers that we have. And one of the one of the big misconceptions is just because I'm not in a floodplain doesn't that doesn't mean you don't need flood insurance. As a matter of fact, 40% of flood claims actually occur outside of high-risk floodplains,' said Witt. He said if you live in a floodplain, you're probably already paying for flood insurance as part of your mortgage. If you're not, it could pay off to invest in your home. Locals, tourists recall major Gatlinburg crash that injured seven 'Your average subdivision, it can happen. The people who went through, unfortunately, Hurricane Helene, they were not in floodplains for the most part,' said Witt. 'That ended up being quite the problem for them, and there'll be some disaster recovery that can help, but there's no substitute for actual flood insurance.' While the probability of your home being impacted by natural disasters are low, he said it is important to have. 'If you don't have flood insurance, or you don't have earthquake insurance, sinkhole is another big coverage in East Tennessee that if you don't have it, you need to add it,' said Witt. 'Most of the time, it's not expensive. Nobody wants to look at it. I get it, we all want to keep costs down. But you don't want to be sitting in the situation of not having that coverage when you actually need it.' ▶ See more top stories on Witt added If you do plan to buy flood insurance sometime soon, most plans do not kick in for up to 30 days after buying it, unless you are currently in the process of buying a home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
