This Year May Be the Slowest Start to the U.S. Tornado Season, Ever

This year has had one of the slowest starts to tornado season since reliable records began in the early 1950s, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In addition, the year has featured one of the longest stretches of time since Jan. 1 without a tornado-related fatality.

The quiet start to the year is no guarantee that the rest of the season will be quiet, especially considering that tornado season typically peaks in May and June. It is a function of the weather pattern that has dominated the lower 48 states since the fall, with a deep dip, or trough, in the jet stream across the Midwest and East, and a ridge of high pressure off the West Coast. The trough brought colder than usual temperatures and above-average snowfall to the East, while the ridge kept the West warmer and drier than average. Read more...