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Meteorologists have issued their forecast for severe weather and tornadoes as the season approaches in advance of spring, and while calling for a slow start to the peak, severe weather was forecast across the US today.
Meteorologists from AccuWeather issued their forecast for the 2021 tornado and severe weather season this week, calling for a slow start as we move into spring, but don’t be fooled by thinking a milder season is underway. The forecast by AccuWeather meteorologists is predicting that “severe weather and tornado activity could abruptly fire up and rival one of the most notorious severe weather seasons ever, due to some atmospheric similarities current weather patterns bear to that devastating season.”
And while the meteorologists are calling for an overall slow start, on the day of this writing, the first day of March, severe weather was forecast from Texas across the South into the Ohio Valley, as meteorologists were warning of severe thunderstorms and flooding rain that had already occurred in parts of the Ohio Valley and Appalachians according to the Weather Channel. The National Weather Service (NWS) had also issued a flash flood emergency for Todd County, Kentucky.
Much like hurricane season, the season for severe weather and tornadoes has kicked off earlier than usual in recent years. In fact, last year, storm chasers or tracking robust thunderstorms across the Plains during the middle of winter and at the beginning of spring. Keep in mind that severe weather can occur during any month of the year.
However, the peak activity for tornadoes and severe weather usually occurs during the months of March, April, and May.
AccuWeather meteorologists released a map showing the areas at the highest risk of severe thunderstorms during the peak season of March-May 2021.
Those areas include northern Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, southern Iowa, central and southern Illinois, central and southern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and western Alabama.
Areas under moderate risk include the Eastern regions of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, as well as southern Louisiana, central to eastern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, eastern Tennessee, southern Minnesota and Wisconsin, northern Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, central and southern Ohio, southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia, central and northern North Carolina.
The most important thing for anyone living in areas that can be affected by severe weather is to begin getting prepared now.
The most important items you need to have on hand are a fully charged cell phone, a weather radio, and a 3-day supply of fresh water and food. When it comes to a cell phone, look for the best cell phone deals, as well as a spare battery backup charger for your phone. Make sure your weather radio is battery-powered or hand-cranked, and make sure you have fresh and/or replacement batteries available.
Develop a family emergency plan that includes an evacuation plan and a designated safe space. If everyone could possibly be separated when severe weather strikes, also have a family communications strategy. Make sure that every member of your family has a cell phone, look for the best cell phone deals that will supply every member of your family with a phone.
Prepare an emergency kit that contains at least a 3 day supply of food and water, a weather radio for updates to know what the storm is doing, and its proximity to your location. Your emergency kit should also include a flashlight, vital medications, a first aid kit, as well as food and water for your pets if you have any.
Get additional information about how to be prepared from these US government articles on preparedness at:
weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-prepare
