No Tornadoes in Feb first time since 1950

[Jim Edds]

http://www.norman.noaa.gov/2010/03/no-tornadoes-in-february-2010/

 

[Scott Olson]

Hadn't even reliazed that we had NO reported tornadoes for the whole month. Well, we all know how quickly a pattern can change. Spring is approaching.

 

[Randy Bowers]

Very interesting. It's also probably worth mentioning that February 1964 and February 1982 both only saw one tornado report. February 2002 saw only two tornado reports.

 

[Jay McCoy]

It wasnt due to a slow pattern. It was due to the fact that most of the systems that came through the south where most feb. tornados occur were snow events. hard to have tornados when its in the 20's and 30's. Places like Dallas over to Atlanta and even Florida saw record snowfalls. If it had been in the 60's or 70s we would have seen a few outbreaks.

I have no worry about an active pattern. I just hope we can start shutting off the polar plunges. Not only does it bring in cold air but it sweeps the deeper gulf moisture out.

 

[Michael O'Keeffe]

I agree with Jay I think here in the next week however when this first system comes in next weekend it will end the polar air from moving south. All these cold fronts though have killed the Gulf and I wouldn't be surprised to have a late start to the season but with all of the moisture and active patterns we have an it will likely be quite active. We just need to be patient.

 

[Larry J. Kosch]

Position of Jet Stream

This was most likely due to a colder than normal winter for most parts of the country. And the position of the jet stream sitting so far south and pushing across the Deep South in a W-E fashion did us no good either!

The GFS models shows a pattern change coming March 6-7. It shows a deep low trough developing off the coast of California and moving into the Rockies. This represents a big change in the jet stream setup. Could be some storm chasing opportunities!!

 

[Shane Adams]

Hopefully we see some type of pattern shift from what we've been dealing with for what seems like forever now. I call them "GFS" systems, because they're progressive, usually east of the preferred areas (west of I-35) and of course the GFS tends to be faster with its solutions so these systems make it "look good."

I'm seeing a lot of optimism for next weekend and I agree there will be some type of event, but until I see a trend towards better parameters, I'll be cautiously pessimistic. I just am not a fan of rocket systems, regardless of their potential. But will I be out there next weekend struggling to keep up, cussing the lack of roads, and bitching about the crappy viewing?

Of course.

 

[Greg McLaughlin]

The upcoming system will be forgotten once we get into May and June.

 

[Mark Blue]

Very interesting. It's also probably worth mentioning that February 1964 and February 1982 both only saw one tornado report. February 2002 saw only two tornado reports.

It seems tornado reports have gone up in recent years as compared to past years due to the proliferation of the internet, but it is interesting to note your comparison of past El Nino events and how that played out in the month of February. The relative position of the warmest water in the Pacific seems to be shifted further west than in past El Nino events as well, so it will be interesting to see how it all plays out this upcoming chase season.

I fully expect moisture return to be a major issue with the approaching system expected for this coming weekend, but on a positive note it's nice to see the pattern shift to something more conducive to severe weather!

 

[Paul Sherman]

Very interesting. It's also probably worth mentioning that February 1964 and February 1982 both only saw one tornado report. February 2002 saw only two tornado reports.

http://www.tornadohistoryproject.com/

Would not mind if the 2010 Season followed the pattern of Feb 1982. Check out May 1982 and that was a Very Southern Plains season with what looks like Dryline Set Ups in the Panhandles looking at the above link.

When you go to the link click 1982 and May.

Paul S

 

[Patrick Marsh]

For all concerned, late yesterday afternoon we learned of a possible water spout that came ashore in southern California on 27 February. The local office is investigating it, but all indications are this is legitimate. Thus, there was 1 tornado report in February. This is still the lowest number ever, with (I believe) the previous record low count being 2.

 

[Jim Edds]

Fair Weather Waterspout or Tornadic? They get waterspouts all the time in the Keys (400-500 a year on average) but I don't know if they count them as tornadoes

 

[Patrick Marsh]

It was connected to a convective cloud.

In any event, if a waterspout comes ashore it is counted as a tornado.

 

[MatthewCarman]

Very interesting. It's also probably worth mentioning that February 1964 and February 1982 both only saw one tornado report. February 2002 saw only two tornado reports.

Patrick atleast two other years only had one tornado reported.

There was 33 tornadoes reported for the month of January. During that month the winter storms were in the midwest and the southern states had warmer temperatures.

 

[Patrick Marsh]

What's a few tornadoes amongst friends?

In any event, that's what I said "I believe"...I was trying to recall a conversation that occurred in the midst of a hectic afternoon.