A meteorologist with the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, says it has been a busy year already for the midwest when it comes to tornadoes. Dan McCarthy says the midwest’s severe weather gets its start in the south. McCarthy says this is the highest number of tornado reports since 1999 and he says that’s due to the south and southwest having extremely warm temperatures.
McCarthy says the warm temperatures kept the waters in the Gulf of Mexico warm. He says that ends up bringing enough moisture northward that we get very frequent periods of severe weather in March and May in the midwest. McCarthy says Iowa has already had 39 tornado reports this year — but the latest weather patter might give us a reprieve.
McCarthy says a huge upper level low over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will cool things down and give us below normal temperatures. While the cooler weather will keep the thunderstorms at bay for awhile, McCarthy says you shouldn’t drop your guard as late May and early June is the peak tornado time for Iowa.