New research suggests climate change could have a significant effect on the strength and frequency of tornados in the U.S.
The study, published yesterday in the journal Climate Dynamics, showed that although tornados are forming fewer days per year they are also forming with greater density and strength than has ever been observed in the past, Florida State University reported. This means instead of one or two tornados occurring in any given area, three or four will form.
"We may be less threatened by tornadoes on a day-to-day basis, but when they do come, they come like there's no tomorrow," Professor James Elsner wrote.
In the past researchers did not suggest a link between climate change and tornados because there was no distinct pattern in the number of tornado days observed on a yearly basis. For example: in 1971 there were 187 tornado days while in 2013 there were only 79. Recently researchers took a closer look at the data and noticed the severity of the storms was increasing.
"I think it's important for forecasters and the public to know this," Elsner said. "It's a matter of making sure the public is aware that if there is a higher risk of a storm, there may actually be multiple storms in a day."
The U.S. is hit with more tornados than any other country. Modern technology and warning systems have helped reduce the risk they impose, but there are still fatalities on a yearly basis. In 2011 the U.S. saw 1,700 storms during tornado season that killed 550 people. This year there has already been 189 storms that have racked up a death toll of 43.
The researcher noted the geographical impact of tornados does not appear to be growing.
Elsner was joined on the paper by independent researcher Thomas H. Jagger, formerly a research associate at Florida State University, and meteorologist Svetoslava Elsner.
