Why did Hurricane Milton cause so many tornadoes in the United States?
More than 100 tornado warnings were issued in Florida before Hurricane Milton made landfall. Why are there so many tornadoes in the United States?
The United States is the country that records the most tornadoes per year. According to data from CNN, the U.S. has an annual average of just over 1,150 tornadoes, with an average mortality rate of 73 victims. So far this year, all states in the country have suffered at least one tornado, while others have already recorded dozens.
Florida received 126 tornado warnings ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall, making it the second state with the most warnings in a single day. As of noon on Oct. 10, the death toll from Hurricane Milton stood at 10, five of which were the result of tornadoes.
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The reason why there are so many tornadoes in the United States
The country has a high frequency of tornadoes due to various factors, including its geography and climate.
According to experts, when air masses formed between the Gulf of Mexico (warm air) and the Rocky Mountains (cold air) collide, ideal conditions are created for the creation of severe storms. The central plain of the United States allows this air to move without obstacles, which encourages the formation of storms and, subsequently, tornadoes.
The combination of these factors brings the country some of the strongest and most violent tornadoes in the world. The United States has a region called “Tornado Alley,” which includes parts of states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.
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Why did Hurricane Milton cause tornadoes in the United States?
A hurricane is characterized by strong winds and convection. These atmospheric conditions make it possible for hurricanes to produce tornadoes thanks to wind shear (the change in speed and direction) and atmospheric instability.
According to meteorologists, when a hurricane moves over land, differences in wind speed and direction, coupled with warm, moist air, create conditions that favor the formation of tornadoes, especially in their rain bands.