U.S Tornado Trends

[vortex95]

This is a brief analysis I did on tornado trends in the U.S. and it discusses the

non-meteorological factors associated with it all.  I posted on this a few years

ago, and have updated it for 2012-2014.  Yes, I do realize the U.S. represents

only 6.6% of the world's land area, but it is the tornado capital of the world and

we have an extensive database documenting tornadoes.

Also, look at the last three years.  Given we document tornadoes so much

better now than even 20 years ago, I find these such low annual tornado counts

quite extraordinary. I would argue this is an extreme in itself.

Let me know what you all think. Comments welcome!

http://home.comcast.net/~trwplusa/tornadotrends.pdf

 

[Hoosier]

The low tornado counts in the past few years are really something...I'd say more impressive than the down years of the 80s given the changes in reporting that you mentioned. 

 

I think we're reaching a point where the increase in population is offsetting the advances in technology/warnings, such that it's going to be difficult to see much more of a decrease in average annual fatalities.  Also, as you alluded to, increased potential for catastrophic large fatality events given the rapidly growing population (and not just the increase in numbers, but how it's growing, i.e. suburban sprawl).