Introduction to Tornado Alley

See also: Which State Has the Most Tornadoes and Why It Matters

What is so special about this place?

The term “Tornado Alley” was actually made up by two meteorologists working for the US Air Force back in 1952 named Robert C Miller and Major Ernest J Fawbush. What they were doing was studying weather patterns across America when they realized that certain parts of Texas seemed much more prone than others. They named their study after those parts – “Tornado Alley”

Since then their term has been used to describe other regions in the US and Canada where tornadoes happen often. Although it is unclear exactly where Tornado Alley begins and ends, as of 2018 most people think that it is located in the Great Plains area.

Where is Tornado Alley?

Tornadoes can actually occur in nearly any country on Earth, but the United States sees far more than any other nation. Each year about 1,200 of these massive storms touch down here. While they are a threat to everyone nationwide, certain states in specific tend to see much more than others.

The place called Tornado Alley has a higher frequency of tornadoes than anywhere else. It extends from the gulf of Mexico up into southern Canada – so it’s huge! It includes most of America’s “Great Plains” though which are crucial for creating twisters. The flatness of this area allows cold air from the North Pole to clash with hot air from the Gulf of Mexico causing extreme weather events like these.

Tornado Alley isn’t your average neighborhood. The area is heavily flat with vast plains, making it easy for warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico to run into dry air from the Rocky Mountains. This constant collision turns normal storms into severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. On top of that, Tornado Alley is located at a sweet spot where different air masses cross paths; this includes warm, humid air from south and cooler air from north.

Various topographic features also influence Tornado Alley’s geography. Take the dry line for example, which acts as a boundary between dry and moist airs. During supercells (more on that later), this line creates the perfect storm for thundery weather including tornadoes. Also, just being close to Jet Stream—a swift-moving upper atmosphere current—contributes to strong thunderstorms and tornado development.

The Geography of Tornado Alley

Tornado Alley is a place where weather does not hold back. It’s the kind of place when the weather punches you, it doesn’t pull any punches. The region is mostly flat, and that sets up warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico to collide with dry air from the Rocky Mountains. Warm and moist air from one side and dry air on another. For severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to thrive, this clash of titans needs to happen.

On top of this flatness which sees an unholy face off of warm and moisture against dryness, Tornado Alley also has a lucky geographical spot for different winds to mingle (though lucky here is more like unlucky). Some wind, more like gusts of wind come in from the south containing warmth and humidity while others – gusts coming in from the north are colder.

If we look at it closely, Tornado Alley is really just a perfect geography for things that we don’t want happening in our lives to happen all at once. Thankfully though, these things do stay within the bounds with our planet— we wouldn’t be writing about this if they didn’t.

It’s not called “almost heaven” but rather “Tornado Alley” so let’s keep going into what makes it tick.

The presence of various topographic features also influences how things go bad in T.A.. A boundary dubbed a “dry line” often forms there— it’s a boundary where dry meets wet air masses meet (sounds like something out of a movie plot). This trigger sneaks through like a worm tunneling its way through dirt. It can lead to severe weather including tornadoes.

Being close to anything powerful never ended well did it? Especially something as powerful as the Jet Stream— a fast-flowing current up above us all… Yeah… you know where this is going too.

See also: What Is a Multi Vortex Tornado? A Comprehensive Exploration

Which states are part of Tornado Alley?

The Great Plains region in America is usually considered the core of Tornado Alley. Here are some states it includes: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming

Some other states not in Great Plains but still fall under Tornado Alley include Missouri down south as well as Michigan and Minnesota up north.

Florida doesn’t make much geographical sense in Tornado Alley but it does experience the most number of tornadoes per 10 thousand square miles across all of America. Other Southern states show similar trends.

Though Florida may have more tornadoes than its neighboring states in the alley per square mile, they’re less severe compared to those in Great Plains. When we talk about F5 or EF5 rated ones though (these are some serious cyclones), Alabama takes first place followed by Oklahoma then Texas with Kansas and Iowa close behind.

Why is Tornado Alley so Prone to Tornadoes?

Meteorologists around the world have agreed that when it comes to violent twisters hitting earth, Tornado Alley is prime real estate. It’s simple really: Polar air moves in a downward direction from the north across the flat lands of Great Plains. The absence of any obstacles creates an frictionless flow that’s perfect for cold and warm air to combine once they meet. And as you could guess, when these two airs collide, it forms supercells.

Supercells are mean thunderstorms that are highly organized and have rotating updrafts. While these forces spin around, it makes way for tornadoes to form at any given moment. The natural wind shear and instability within the storm cause updrafts to become vertical while developing a mesocyclone.

A mesocyclone is a concentrated mass of fast-spinning air within a thunderstorm; this is where large or even F5 cyclones tend to form. From there, all it takes is some time for the funnel cloud (partially formed vortex) to touch the ground below and—bam!—tornado!

Tornadoes in Tornado Alley can be especially devastating for several reasons. First, the flat topography of the Great Plains allows for unobstructed airflow, which gives tornadoes enough room to develop and travel over long distances. Second, warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico provides plenty of energy for these storms.

The unique atmospheric conditions in Tornado Alley are also responsible for the frequency and intensity of its tornadoes. The region lies in the central part of the United States, where warm air from the south collides with cool air from the north. This creates an unstable atmosphere that’s ideal for severe weather events.

Keep in mind that while tornadoes are more common in Tornado Alley than anywhere else, they can happen anywhere. Every state except Alaska has seen a twister touch down within its borders. They’ve even been observed on every continent except Antarctica. But it’s clear why Tornado Alley is such a hotbed: Its unique geography and meteorology make it ripe for twisters.

See also: What is a Waterspout Tornado?

When is Tornado Season in Tornado Alley?

Take a look at official meteorological stats from years past and you’ll notice something peculiar about when tornadoes tend to spawn: It happens commonly during a certain time frame. Most often, they form between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., usually peaking around 5 or 6 p.m., according to National Weather Service data analyzed by FiveThirtyEight.

This is when atmospheric conditions often lend themselves to producing severe thunderstorms, said Greg Carbin, a storm prediction center scientist at NWS.

Most form during “tornado season,” which typically lasts from March through June depending on where you live in Tornado Alley. The seasonal combination of warm Gulf air and cool Rocky Mountain air sitting atop each other produces instability that helps generate twisters.

If this surprises you then you should know that more than three-quarters (76 percent) of all U.S. tornadoes occur in Tornado Alley. The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country by far, the NWS says.

However, there is not a single month when a tornado hasn’t been observed in America.

They can touch down anywhere at any time, but some areas are certainly more likely to see them than others. For example, a significant number of severe weather events in the southern U.S. take place during late fall across the region commonly called Dixie Alley, which includes Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. While such storms are less common there than in Tornado Alley during spring and early summer months, they still pose a significant danger, as November’s 11 percent share of twisters attests.

The Emergency of Dixie Alley

In the Gulf Coast area, there’s been a surge in tornadoes over the past few decades in five states known as the Gulf States: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.

Meteorologists refer to the region as Dixie Alley. Over the last 20 years, tornadoes have surged here. In one recent year alone, more than 13,000 were reported! Meanwhile Tornado Alley had only 328 tornadoes during that same stretch.

While not always as powerful as those in the Midwest, they still cause significant damage. Each year these twisters cause more than $600 million worth of destruction and kill more than 40 people. That’s higher than what Tornado Alley experiences annually but it makes sense when you consider that roughly nine times as many people live in Dixie Alley.

On top of being a tropics-bound tornado hotbed, the Gulf States constantly get walloped by powerful hurricanes. The most destructive storm ever to hit America — Hurricane Katrina — pounded through Dixie Alley.

Here are some interesting facts about Tornado Alley:

Tornado Alley causes lots of them: More U.S. tornadoes occur there on average than anywhere else; over 1,000 per year on average.

Peak season: It ranges depending on where you are in Tornado Alley (and ranges generally quite a bit), but for much of it occurs from late spring extending into early summer. However keep in mind that severe storms can occur at any time of year!

All shapes and sizes: Tornados can be small and weak (EF0); they can also be large and extremely violent (EF5).

Which states? Oklahoma leads all states with an average of more than 55 observed tornadoes per year since 1980 (Texas follows with an average of just under 50). Kansas comes next on this list with less than half of Oklahoma’s yearly total.

When are they most dangerous? Tornadoes can occur in daylight and nighttime hours, but they are most likely to strike during the dark.

Understanding the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning is critical for residents of Tornado Alley. The National Weather Service issues a tornado watch when weather conditions are favorable for tornado formation. A watch does not mean a tornado has been spotted, but rather that you should be prepared to take action if necessary. Monitor updates closely and keep an eye out for any warnings.

When a twister is actually sighted or detected by radar, authorities will issue a tornado warning. This is your cue to act immediately. You’ll want to head somewhere safe and protect yourself in whatever way possible from the oncoming storm. If you don’t already have one, create a designated shelter in your home or workplace and follow guidance from officials.

Tornado Alley Climate and Weather Patterns

The atmosphere in Tornado Alley is constantly changing. It has a continental climate, meaning it has hot summers and cold winters. The temperature difference between those two seasons along with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico makes it easy for severe thunderstorms to develop.

One of the most destructive weather patterns in Tornado Alley involves supercells. Supercells are massive thunderstorms that have a rotating updraft which can produce significant tornadoes. If you’re curious as to what kind of environment they need to form, picture warm, moist air coming up from the south and cool, dry air coming down from the north.

Besides tornadoes, residents also have to worry about hailstorms and flash floods which can be just as destructive.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning: Understanding the Difference

In Tornado Alley it’s important to know when you’re being watched and when you should take action immediately. A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service whenever there’s a good chance of seeing one or more tornadoes within your area. You won’t hear any sirens go off but you should probably stay tuned into your local news station.

On another note, a tornado warning is issued when someone spots or detects an actual tornado on radar (yes we can do that). You should expect sirens going off once this happens and act fast! Run over all your evacuation plans in case something goes wrong or local authorities give out orders for evacuation.

Famous Tornadoes In Tornado Alley – Dallas, Kentucky & Arkansas

Over the years, several memorable twisters have ripped through Tornado Alley — leaving communities forever changed. One of them struck Dallas, Texas on April 2nd, 1957. Known as the “Dallas Tornado,” this F4-rated cyclone claimed ten lives all while wreaking havoc across town. It was this event that truly woke up the region — leading them towards improved preparation and forecasting for these deadly storms.

Another catastrophic event took place in Kentucky on March 2nd ,2012 during what’s now known as the “Kentucky Tornado Outbreak.” Countless tornados formed throughout the state with numerous towns being hit hard by EF4-rated cyclones. The most devastating of them all swept through West Liberty — causing widespread damage and costing people their lives.

Arkansas’ experience with twisters runs deep as well. An F5-rated beast laid waste to Vilonia on April 27th, 2014, demolishing everything in its path and killing 16 individuals along the way.

Tornado Alley Map: Locating The Regions

Tornado Alley Map: Locating The Regions Back in 1952, the term “tornado alley” was first used to describe a region in the United States where tornadoes are frequent. Texas and Oklahoma both reside there and this is known for geographic location for having the highest number of violent tornadoes.

On average, these parts experience twenty tornadoes in twelve months. Recently, another alley has been identified with areas such as Kansas and Nebraska being hit by an increasing amount of these destructive forces of nature. This eventually caused for the original “alley” to expand its borders across these states too. The National Severe Storms Laboratory defines tornado alley based on a wind storm’s climatology and the occurrence rate of strong and destructive tornadoes.

When one with speeds that exceed 200 mph hits any sort of populated area or mobile home park, it can result in great devastation which is why it’s important to be aware and prepared when living near one.

Tornado Alley Map: Locating The Regions Now we go into depth about what exactly is meant by tornado alley according to Severe Weather 101. It provides a list of frequent asked questions about them as well as their definition in order to help people understand all things relating to these disasters within the country’s borders . In recent years, the annual count has been going up which only worsens this problem faced by millions each year.

The ones that spawn from here are dangerous thanks to their power so it’s no wonder why they have gained such notoriety over time. Knowing that they’re only getting stronger makes it even more crucial for residents who live here or are at risk due to neighboring towns need be prepared because there’s no stopping mother nature during her storms .

For this reason, the National Severe Storms Laboratory keeps track of activity within those states (and others) in order to provide warnings when necessary which could help save lives before destruction occurs . Having knowledge about the climatology of tornadoes will be beneficial as you learn how to protect yourself and others from them.

Tornado Alley isn’t just one big region but rather a conglomerate of various sub-regions. Each sub-region experiences different levels of tornado activity and their borders change depending on the source you’re looking at. Here are some common sub regions:

Southern Plains — Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas

Central Plains — Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa

Upper Midwest — Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin

It’s important to have an understanding of where you lie on a Tornado Alley map so you can stay up-to-date with any possible risks.

Stay Safe In Tornado Alley With These Tips

Given the nature of the region in which it sits, residents of Tornado Alley need to remain vigilant when it comes to twister safety. Here are some key tips for staying safe during these deadly storms:

• Designate shelter locations in your home and workplace. Make sure they are on the lowest level and away from windows
• Invest in a NOAA weather radio or smartphone app with real-time alerts.
• Make an emergency kit, including food, water, flashlights, and a first aid kit.
• Form a family communication plan so that you can stay connected even during the worst tornadoes.
• Stay informed about weather conditions by monitoring local news stations on your radio or through a smartphone app.
• If you are driving when you get a tornado warning, leave the vehicle behind. Find a sturdy building to hide in or lay down on the ground if there’s nowhere else to go.
• The key is to be prepared and stay aware.

Tornado Alley Preparedness: Crafting an Emergency Plan

It’s vital for Tornado Alley inhabitants to create an emergency plan, especially if you live in a mobile home. I’m here to help you with some steps that’ll make your strategy effective:

1. Find your safety zone within your house where you can take cover during a tornado. Make sure it’s a windowless interior room on the lowest level and away from any outer walls.

2. Ensure every member of the family knows about this place and how they can get there without wasting time.

3. Teach kids what they should do if ever there is a tornado and practice drills every now and then.

4. When disaster strikes, having a proper communication plan will be key 101 in harsh weather conditions; it’ll allow you to stay connected with other people in your family. Assign someone as the point person so that everyone has one central contact when things go awry in Tornado Alley.

5. Pack essential supplies into an emergency kit like food, water, medication, flashlights, batteries, etc.

6. Stay up-to-date on local weather conditions so they don’t come as a surprise and catch you off guard during Tornado Alley season. Have reliable devices like NOAA weather radio or smartphone apps to keep tabs on what’s happening just beyond your doorstep.

By being proactive like this, which are mentioned in any comprehensive tornado FAQ guidebook, you’re increasing the chances of staying safe when tornadoes hit Tornado Alley

Conclusion