Climatology of Tornadoes Associated With Gulf Coast‐landfalling Hurricanes

Abstract

This study provides climatological descriptions of tornadoes associated with Gulf Coast‐landfalling hurricanes during the 1950–2005 period using gis and statistical methods. Specific climatological descriptions provided are hurricane‐tornado activity per hurricane and physical, temporal, and spatial characteristics of hurricane‐tornadoes. Our analysis indicates that, although hurricane‐tornadoes are a common phenomenon associated with hurricane landfalls along the Gulf coastline, their frequency is variable. Some hurricanes produce no tornadoes, whereas others produce more than 100. Relatively weak hurricane‐tornadoes and those with relatively short path lengths and narrow path widths are most common. Hurricane‐tornadoes occur most often in August and September, during afternoon hours, and after their associated hurricane makes landfall. Hurricane‐tornadoes have occurred throughout the Gulf Coast region, but most are located within 200 kilometers of the coastline. Lastly, hurricane‐tornadoes are most often situated to the right of their associated hurricane center, relative to directional heading.