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Amid a year that has already seen hundreds of tornadoes and dozens of deaths, even more dangerous tornadoes like the ones that tore through Arkansas and Illinois on Friday are expected soon.
Even before Friday’s outbreak, there had been more than 300 tornadoes so far, and according to Storm Prediction Center data, it was the third-most-active start to a year on record in the U.S. In late March, a devastating outbreak in the South killed more than 20 people in Mississippi and Alabama and followed several previous outbreaks.
“We should be at about 200 tornadoes for today’s date,” Victor Gensini, associate professor at Northern Illinois University, told USA TODAY on March 30. “So we’re running about 100 tornadoes above average, and we have been the entire year.“
Tornado warning:Twisters hitting more frequently and dealing more deaths in the South
Tornado activity is expanding:Southern states see more twisters than ever
A low pressure system moving in from the west, with warm dry air behind it and warm, humid air flowing northward to the east from the Gulf of Mexico created a classic set up for severe storms and tornadoes.
Severe storms began forming by late morning, forcing the National Weather Service to issue its first „high risk“ warning of the year.
At least three tornadoes were confirmed by mid-afternoon, in addition to damaging high winds and huge hail. Meanwhile, blizzard conditions were reported in South Dakota.
A similar pattern is expected to set up Tuesday, amplified by greater heat and humidity, increasing the risk for severe weather, Gensini said.
If you wanted to draw a textbook severe weather configuration, “this would certainly be it,” he said.
