December Devastation: Country Hit by Third Consecutive Tornado Outbreak

Three Decembers have seen devastating tornado outbreaks, a possible climate change effect.

Tornado Effect (Photo: Google)

December Tornado Outbreak Continues: Impact, Causes, and Climate Concerns

The weekend tornado outbreak killed six, injured hundreds, and left thousands without power for the third consecutive December. In Tennessee, severe weather had the greatest effect on Nashville and Clarksville.

High wind shear and heat were the causes of tornadoes. Near Nashville, a 150-mph EF3 tornado was confirmed. The outbreak’s strongest tornado in Clarksville killed three and wounded over 60. Current evaluations aim to determine the severe storm system’s tornadoes’ extent. According to studies, climate warming may increase winter tornadoes.

The Nashville National Weather Service recorded a 125-mph EF2 tornado that affected Madison, Hendersonville, and Gallatin. The 2021 tornado outbreak on Dec. 10 and 11 continued a disturbing trend with 66 tornadoes. The “quad-state storm” was a 190-mph EF4 tornado that hit Mayfield, Kentucky, in Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. A second storm on Dec. 15 produced over 60 tornadoes.

READ ALSO: PSE&G warns customers across Northeast to prepare for hazardous weekend storm conditions

December 2022 Tornado Outbreak in Louisiana

In December 2022, there were almost 50 tornadoes that hit Louisiana. On Dec. 14, an EF2 tornado devastated New Orleans, and an EF3 impacted Union Parish near Farmerville. In the Southeast and Gulf Coast, December tornadoes are regular, but climate change may increase their frequency in milder months. Studies show that warming is increasing winter tornadoes, especially in the southeast.

Warmer temperatures and other climatic factors certainly exacerbated the storms, while scientists can’t precisely link one occurrence to climate change. The warmer environment increases fears of more tornadoes in December, January, and February.

READ ALSO: Flood warnings for millions as storm brings heavy rain and winds to the Northeast