US Drought Brings A Surprise Benefit: No Tornados (cnn.com)

Slashdot reader turkeydance tipped us off to news that America hasn't had a single tornado in November, even though last year it experienced 99, and averages 58 every November. CNN reports: Drought is overwhelming Southeastern states this fall, and temperatures have soared, depleting ground moisture. Storms need moist air to develop, and the lack of moisture this fall has inhibited storm development both for the much needed rain and the formation of supercell storms capable of producing tornadoes. Precipitation has been near or at zero for weeks in the region. The last measurable day of rain in Birmingham, Alabama, was September 18... As a result, wildfires have become the main disaster threat this fall. The last five years have all seen a below-average number of tornados, and between 2012 and 2014 the U.S. saw fewer tornadoes than any previous three-year stretch.

Comments

Will climate activists argue...

[KenHansen]

Will climate activists blame the drought on global warming and try to argue that we should have more frequent/severe tornadoes?

Re:Will climate activists argue...

[93 Escort Wagon]

Will climate activists blame the drought on global warming and try to argue that we should have more frequent/severe tornadoes?

People need to learn to differentiate between local, regional, and global phenomena. Not every out-of-the-ordinary event is related to climate change. Events which deviate far from the norm are probably NOT related to anthropogenic global warming.

During this same period of severe southeastern drought, most of the western U.S. has been significantly wetter than normal. Many places have experienced 200-400% of their typical rainfall.

Also during this same period... Most of the U.S. (both west and east) has been warmer than normal; but much of northern Asia and Eastern Europe has been cooler than normal.