A tornado struck the Houston area on Tuesday, highlighting an increasing trend in early-season storms. This tornado, which hit Pasadena southeast of Houston, caused significant damage to homes and buildings, and left thousands without power.
While numerous tornado sightings were reported across the Gulf Coast, they are still awaiting confirmation from the National Weather Service.
This incident underscores a broader shift in tornado patterns. Traditionally, tornadoes were concentrated in “Tornado Alley” in the central U.S., including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.
Recently, however, tornadoes have become more common in the Southeast and less frequent in the Great Plains. This shift poses serious risks, especially in densely populated and urban areas where tornadoes can cause more extensive damage.
Researchers are investigating how changing climate patterns, including La Niña and global warming, contribute to the increasing frequency and shifting locations of tornadoes.Victor Gensini, an associate professor at Northern Illinois University, notes that increased population density in the Mid-South means more potential targets for tornadoes.
Additionally, the presence of mobile homes in vulnerable communities exacerbates risks, as they are particularly susceptible to tornado damage.
The increase in tornado activity early in the year can be linked to La Niña, a climate pattern that affects weather globally by cooling Pacific Ocean waters. This has led to a higher number of tornadoes in the first months of 2023. Scientists are exploring how La Niña and other factors, including global warming, contribute to these changes.
Global warming may increase atmospheric instability, which could lead to more storms, although decreased wind shear could counteract this effect.
Upcoming research by Christopher Weiss and his team will focus on tornadoes in the Southeast, aiming to improve predictions and understand the impacts of these evolving storm patterns.