There may be a new ‘Tornado alley’
Randy Mann.
JAKE PARRISH/Press
For many years, we have associated the most dangerous tornadoes in a region known as “Tornado Alley,” a large region of the Great Plains that includes the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. This area earned that reputation for severe weather because it often experiences the perfect mix of warm, moist air from the Gulf of America (Mexico), dry air from the desert Southwest, and cool air from Canada. When these air masses collide, powerful thunderstorms can form, sometimes producing violent tornadoes. However, in recent years, scientists have observed a noticeable shift in where tornadoes most frequently occur. This shift has led to growing discussion about what some researchers call the “New Tornado Alley.”
The so-called “New Tornado Alley” is not an officially defined region, but it generally includes parts of the Midwest and Southeast. For example, states such as Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky have seen an increase in tornado frequency in recent years. Many of these states lie within Dixie Alley, a term meteorologists use to describe the tornado-prone areas of the Deep South. Unlike the Great Plains, this region has more forests, hills, and densely populated communities, which can make tornadoes more difficult to see and more dangerous.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
