Associating tornado occurrence with environmental parameters

Abstract

Tornado prediction on monthly scales could be improved if tornadoes could be associated with predictable environmental parameters. Tippett et al. sought to identify atmospheric parameters associated with monthly tornado activity to create an index that could provide a basis for extended‐range forecasts of monthly tornado activity. They analyzed U.S. tornado data from 1979 through 2010 and atmospheric parameters including convective precipitation and other factors. They were able to create an index that captures the spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and year‐to‐year variability of tornado occurrence. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL050368, 2012)