TN tornado activity could be high this year
While it is difficult to forecast tornado outbreaks, weather analysts say that developing conditions could lead to a greater chance for tornadoes in Tennessee this year.
Meteorologists told The Tennessean that the La Nina conditions in place over the Pacific Ocean could be a sign of increased storm risk. La Nina is said to be in place when the tropical areas of the Pacific are colder than normal, which affects weather around the world.
"We have found when we have a La Nina during the spring, we have a higher incident of tornadoes through the Tennessee and Ohio valleys," meteorologist Bobby Boyd from the National Weather Service told the paper. "We could be looking at more stormy weather this spring and the potential for tornadoes."
The paper says Tennessee was hit by a total of 113 twisters in 2011.
Overall last year, the state dealt with multiple storms and property damage events, which led to five different federal disaster declarations and numerous homeowners insurance claims. The so-called "super outbreak" of tornadoes last April 27 in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Mississippi included 15 powerful tornadoes with EF-4 or EF-5 ratings.
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