NOAA
REPORTS TORNADO SEASON STARTS BUSY
This is the highest total number of reports for the first three months of the year since 1999 and is a sharp contrast to last year when only 96 tornado reports and five deaths occurred by April 3. The number of deaths so far is the highest since 1998. Meteorologists at the NOAA Storm Prediction Center are forecasting more severe weather this week. For the latest information, visit the Storm Prediction Center Web site.
"We've already had a busy tornado season within the past 30 days. If the pattern holds, the season could continue to be busy," McCarthy said. The difference this year is the abnormally warm temperatures and dry conditions during the winter throughout the southern and central United States that kept water temperatures warm in the Gulf of Mexico.
The first large tornado outbreak of the year occurred March 12 causing a total of 142 tornado reports and eight deaths. An outbreak on March 30 produced 27 tornadoes with four injuries. Whether for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms or flooding, a NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is an essential item in every home, business or public area. NOAA Weather Radio provides immediate broadcasts of weather warnings and civil emergency messages to give those in harm's way critical lead time to respond and remain safe. Such messages include tornado warnings, flood warnings, Amber Alerts, chemical spill notifications and many others. Even when a storm knocks out power, the battery backup of NOAA Weather Radio ensures warnings will be heard. NOAA, an
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