Expect Severe Weather and Increased Tornado Activity This Spring, According to New Report
According to the report, the worst of the storms this season are predicted to occur outside of Tornado Alley. "Tornado Alley is an area of the U.S. where there is a high potential for tornado development," reports Dan Kottlowski, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather. "This area encompasses much of northern Texas northward through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and parts of Louisiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado."
Severe weather is anticipated throughout March, April, and May. Cold air from Canada mingles with warm, moist air from the Gulf, creating life-threatening thunderstorms throughout the central and eastern U.S.
Per AccuWeather, the worst of the severe weather is expected to occur east of Tornado Alley, specifically in the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Western Ohio valleys. The concentration of storms in this area is due to a combination of high pressure over the Southwest and abnormally warm waters in the Gulf.
Farther north, early spring may feel like an extension of winter, pausing the threat of severe thunderstorms and tornados. "Periods of cool and more stable air can cross the Great Lakes, lowering the threat of widespread severe weather this spring across the eastern Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast," says Paul Pastelok, long-range expert for AccuWeather.
Thunderstorms are expected to become more widespread in May across the Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and parts of Tornado Alley. Long-lived and destructive storms, called derechos, will also increase in spring and into summer. These storms are known for their intense winds and damage. "Though it is early to determine where these may form, we are leaning toward the central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley based on the pattern forecast and research," Pastelok says.
As far as tornadoes, AccuWeather predicts there will be 75 to 150 tornadoes in March, 200 to 300 in April, and 250 to 350 in May. These predictions are near or above the 30-year historical average. For all of 2025, the weather forecasting service predicts 1,300 to 1,450 tornadoes, compared to the historical average of 1,225.
Related: April's Full Pink Moon Will Be a Micromoon—Here's How to See It
Read the original article on Martha Stewart
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
27 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Heavy rains expected in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Erin nears
Forecasters also warned of dangerous swells. The storm was located about 570 miles (920 kilometers) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin is forecast to eventually take a sharp turn northeast that would put it on a path between the U.S. and Bermuda. Advertisement 'The forecasts for next week still keep the future hurricane safely east of the mainland U.S.,' he said. Erin is forecast to become a major Category 3 storm late this weekend. The hurricane center noted 'there is still uncertainty about what impacts Erin may bring to portions of the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda in the long range.' Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to affect the U.S. East Coast next week, with waves reaching up to 15 feet (5 meters) along parts of the North Carolina coast that could cause beach erosion, according to Accuweather. Advertisement 'Erin is forecast to explode into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it moves across very warm waters in the open Atlantic. Water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet deep are several degrees higher than the historical average,' said Alex DaSilva, Accuweather's lead hurricane expert. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. This year's season is once again expected to be unusually busy. The forecast calls for six to 10 hurricanes, with three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph).
CNBC
28 minutes ago
- CNBC
Heavy rains expected in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Erin nears
Tropical Storm Erin was expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Friday as it approached the northeast Caribbean, prompting forecasters to warn of possible flooding and landslides. The storm is expected to remain over open waters, although tropical storm watches were issued for Anguilla and Barbuda, St. Martin and St. Barts, Saba and St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. Heavy rains were forecast to start late Friday in Antigua and Barbuda, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and southern and eastern Puerto Rico. Up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) are expected, with isolated totals of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters also warned of dangerous swells. The storm was located about 520 miles (835 kilometers) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 17 mph (28 kph). Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert Michael Lowry said Erin is forecast to eventually take a sharp turn northeast that would put it on a path between the U.S. and Bermuda. "The forecasts for next week still keep the future hurricane safely east of the mainland U.S.," he said. Erin is forecast to become a major Category 3 storm late this weekend. The hurricane center noted "there is still uncertainty about what impacts Erin may bring to portions of the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda in the long range." Dangerous surf and rip currents are expected to affect the U.S. East Coast next week, with waves reaching up to 15 feet (5 meters) along parts of the North Carolina coast that could cause beach erosion, according to Accuweather. "Erin is forecast to explode into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it moves across very warm waters in the open Atlantic. Water temperatures at the surface and hundreds of feet deep are several degrees higher than the historical average," said Alex DaSilva, Accuweather's lead hurricane expert. Erin is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. This year's season is once again expected to be unusually busy. The forecast calls for six to 10 hurricanes, with three to five reaching major status with winds of more than 110 mph (177 kph).
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Strengthening Erin to fuel dangerous surf, coastal flood risk from Carolinas to New England
Erin is expected to strengthen rapidly this weekend, potentially intensifying from a tropical storm to a major Category 3 hurricane or stronger within hours. After departing the Caribbean, Erin will set its sights on the East Coast of the United States, with the severity of impacts dependent on its track. "Erin is moving into a zone of warm water and low wind shear that were already fostering strengthening while east of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean on Thursday," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. How long Erin tracks west before turning to the north will determine how close it comes to the East Coast and Bermuda and how widespread the impacts may be next week. "At this time, impacts are expected to include dangerous surf, beach erosion and coastal flooding. However, conditions may worsen along the U.S. Atlantic coast, if Erin's track shifts farther west," DaSilva said. Even beyond the Caribbean, the strength and position of high pressure over the central Atlantic-along with an approaching dip in the jet stream-will be key players in determining Erin's track next week. If the high consolidates in size, steering winds from the jet stream would keep Erin well east of the U.S. A broad area of high pressure to the west could block the steering winds of the jet stream, potentially allowing Erin to drift perilously close to the U.S. East Coast. "People along the East Coast from the Carolinas to New England and Atlantic Canada, as well as Bermuda, should monitor forecast updates closely into next week," DaSilva said. At this time, AccuWeather's team of expert meteorologists expects the most likely path of Erin to keep the dangerous eye of the hurricane east of the United States. However, Erin is forecast to grow in size and strength. Its field of influence may become extensive, with tropical storm conditions possibly extending outward from the center by 100 miles or more. Protruding coastal areas-such as North Carolina's Outer Banks, Long Island, New York, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts-face a higher risk of direct and potentially severe tropical storm or hurricane conditions than much of the southern Atlantic, mid-Atlantic and northern New England coasts. Proximity to the U.S. East Coast will determine the severity of impacts from Florida to Massachusetts and, later, for Atlantic Canada. Even if Erin's center stays east of North Carolina, storm surge of several feet-combined with wave action-could inundate access roads and force closures. Among the roads that could be inundated or subject to overwash would be portions of NC 12 on the Outer the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+ "Erin has not yet started to curve north, as of Thursday morning. The longer Erin tracks west before turning north, the odds increase of impacts potentially reaching the East Coast. Beach erosion is a growing concern," DaSilva warned. One of the most certain impacts from this system will be dangerous surf and frequent, strong rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, as well as coastal areas of Bermuda and Atlantic Canada. "Be vigilant if you're going to an East Coast beach next week. Be aware of rip current warning signs and only swim in areas with lifeguards on duty," DaSilva said. Offshore wave heights may exceed 50 feet at the height of the storm. Waves of this magnitude can be perilous for large freighters and cruise ships and extremely dangerous for small craft. These massive waves will propagate outward from the center as large swells, reaching coastal areas in the form of powerful breakers. Much of the U.S. East Coast can expect breakers of 5-10 feet in the surf zone. However, in areas of land that extend farther east-such as the Outer Banks, eastern Long Island and Cape Cod-breakers of 10-15 feet are likely. In Bermuda, waves buffeting the islands may reach 15-25 feet, depending on the proximity of Erin. As with the U.S. Atlantic coast, conditions in Bermuda will depend heavily on the storm's track and how close it passes. Wind gusts across the islands are forecast to generally range from 40-60 mph, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 100 mph expected in the most extreme locations. A general 2-4 inches is forecast, but less wind and rain could occur if Erin's track is more than 100 miles to the west. "People along the East Coast from the Carolinas to New England and Atlantic Canada, as well as Bermuda, should monitor forecast updates closely through the weekend and into next week," DaSilva said. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
