Vince_Condella's Blog

It seems like 2008 may be a banner year for tornadoes, and that's a banner we don't want to unfurl.  More twisters and more deaths on May 1-2 in the southern Plains continued the trend of a stormy winter and spring in the southern United States.

If you saw any of the national network coverage of this tragedy late last week, you may have heard the on-scene reporter breathlessly stating that "the storms struck without warning, there were no sirens."  I've blogged previously that outdoor severe weather sirens are not meant to be heard in the house so I won't rant anymore about that subject.  But as with every large tornado outbreak and deadly storm, the phrase "it struck without warning" will always be a part of the news report whether it is true or not.

Keep in mind that if a tornado watch or severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for your area, any incoming thunderstorm has the ability to produce a tornado.  A watch needs to be taken seriously.  Don't wait for a warning to be issued before you become diligent.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issues a running total of severe weather events for the year, along with comparative data for other years.  Check the latest numbers and graphs at two links....HERE and HERE.

The highlights show that we have had 731 tornadoes so far in 2008.  This is a preliminary number, however, and will no doubt be less when all site surveys of tornado damage are completed.  Total tornado numbers for previous years are:  1,095 (2007);  1,106 (2006); and 1,264 (2005).  So even our preliminary numbers for this year are high.

Tornado deaths so far in 2008:  76 fatalities.  That's deadly.  Total fatalities due to tornadoes for previous years:  81 in 2007, 67 in 2006, and 38 in 2005.