A February Tornado Reported After All
(Photo courtesy of the NSSL.)
Last week, February 2010 appeared to be a tornado-free month in the entire United States for the first time since 1950.
However, that turned out to be premature, as a report was received by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) at 4:45 p.m. on Feb. 27.
The twister occurred 15 miles northeast of Taft, Calif., and was turned in by a trained spotter. There was no damage associated with the tornado.
Despite the discovery of a report last month, it is still the least amount of tornadoes ever recorded in the month of February.
February's previous low was two tornado reports, occurring in both 1964 and 2002.
There are typically 22 tornadoes on average during the month, based on reports dating back to 1950 from the SPC, so it was incredibly rare not to have one.
"Despite it being an El Nino year, which would normally mean severe weather in the South, the jet stream has been depressing cold air very far south, and it has combined with cooler-than-normal Gulf of Mexico water temperatures," Expert Senior Meteorologist Henry Margusity said. "These have led to the suppression of severe weather in February."
According to the SPC, only five months since 1950 have failed to turn in a tornado report: October 1952, December 1963, November 1976, January 1986 and January 2003.
While there was only one tornado report, there were 32 other severe weather occurrences. Nineteen severe wind events and 13 incidents of hail were reported.
More Weather News
-
Everest Death Toll 4 from Weekend Rush
May 23, 2012; 5:10 AM ET
Another Everest climber was found dead this morning, bringing the weekend death toll to four, with one climber still missing.
-
Still Rebuilding One Year After The Joplin, Mo., Tornado
May 23, 2012; 5:08 AM ET
Just one year ago, Joplin, Mo., was struck by a devastating mile-wide EF-5 tornado on May 22, 2011.
-
East Daily Downpours This Week
May 23, 2012; 5:05 AM ET
A stalled weather pattern will bring a daily dose of disruptive downpours from portions of the Carolinas to New England.
-
Bud Forms in the Eastern Pacific
May 23, 2012; 5:03 AM ET
The second tropical storm of the 2012 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season has formed.
-
Pre-Season Tropical Storms Rare, But Not Unheard Of
May 23, 2012; 5:01 AM ET
Tropical Storm Alberto is only the third tropical storm to have formed prior to the official start of hurricane season in the past 31 years.
-
Record Flood on Amazon Tributary
May 23, 2012; 5:00 AM ET
The largest Amazon River tributary has marked its highest historical level following weeks of heavy rain in its catch basin, the AP has said.
-
Sanvu to Become First Pacific Typhoon in 2012
May 23, 2012; 4:58 AM ET
Sanvu, only the second western north Pacific tropical storm of 2012, is on track to become the first typhoon of the year.
-
Memorial Day Weekend Heat Wave
May 23, 2012; 4:55 AM ET
Break out the fans and air conditioners and get the pools ready as a heat wave is poised for portions of the Midwest and mid-Atlantic this Memorial Day weekend.
-
Breathtaking Video of Switzerland Landslide
May 23, 2012; 4:50 AM ET
A landslide has collapsed part of a steep mountainside in Switzerland.
-
Northern Italy Hit by Magnitude 6.0 Earthquake
May 23, 2012; 4:48 AM ET
The earthquake could be felt as far away as Milan and Venice.
Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 113° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 30° | Bellemont, AZ |
| Precip | 9.70" | Miami, FL |
WeatherWhys®
A large, horrific tornado struck the city of Joplin, Mo., last year on this date. The twister cut a deadly path across the south side of the city, leaving over 159 dead and at least 1,150 injured. The Joplin tornado currently ranks as the 7th deadliest tornado in U.S. history.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
Comments
Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.