‘Tornado Alley’ is Moving Closer to Pennsylvania

It doesn't take a meteorologist to sense that tornado activity is picking up in the Pennsylvania area. As it turns out, a new report out has weather experts stating that tornado alley is moving closer to Michigan. The experts behind this report have been tracking tornado activity for decades, and the trend is definitely shifting across the U.S.

We're not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. I remember as a kid, I always thought of tornado alley being in Kansas, because of the Wizard of Oz movie. But, tornados are becoming more common in areas of the country that aren't exactly known for their tornado activity and funnels. According to a recent study by Timothy Coleman, Richard Thompson and former Weather Channel severe weather expert Greg Forbes, tornado activity is changing each year. By tracking tornado alley over the decades, the study, which was published in April in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, describes where tornados are moving in the U.S. To conduct the study, the experts utilized information from two different datasets, each covering 35 years, to see exactly where and when tornadoes have been happening.

According to the study, "the most active tornado corridor in the U.S. has changed in recent decades," states Weather.com. First of all, there are more winter tornados than ever before. That probably has to do with winters being more mild across the U.S. On the flip side of that, tornadoes have decreased more in the summer months than any other season. Tornado activity is "focused in the lower Mississippi Valley, but still is active into the lower Ohio Valley and Southern Plains," they explain.

As for what has changed most, in the past 35 years, the biggest increase in tornado activity "has been from western Kentucky and the lower Ohio Valley to Mississippi and Louisiana." Areas of the Plains, parts of Texas to Oklahoma, eastern Kansas and western Missouri have seen fewer tornados. The study also says, via CBSNews.com, that "Tornado activity is now much more likely to impact the Midwest and Southeast." Here's where Pennsylvania comes in. CBSNews.com also points out that, "Another map shows that from 1986 to 2020, tornadogenesis peaked in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Such events also were increasing further east, including Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania." What's more, the changes have been happening since 1951, according to the study. My area got pummeled with a cyclone-type storm last August, and I really hope the tornado activity doesn't return this season. The Accuweather.com tornado videos are pretty terrifying, if you ask me.

Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it's part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I've certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?

Before we get to the main tips, let's get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It's simple but important. You don't want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.

Another mistake some people make is not taking "watches" seriously. For example, you might see that there's a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it's just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don't do it. "A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service explains. We'll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.

Let's get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.

A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, "a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely." A watch is where "the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain." Finally, an advisory means, "hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely."

During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. "The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes," the National Weather Service says. Also, you don't want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don't have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to "use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris."

Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, "An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries," the National Weather Service says. "Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags."

This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they're right. "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line," the National Weather Service advises.

Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. "Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures," the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of "water or non-alcoholic fluids."

Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to "leave immediately if ordered." They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to "take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can," and "stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors."

Weather isn't just about thunderstorms and tornados. Air quality is a big part of weather events these days, too. Be on the lookout for air quality alerts in your area. If you have respiratory issues, you should wear a mask when out and about in bad air quality. You should also say inside if the air quality is especially bad.

Even on a perfect weather day, if you're at the beach, there are risks. The NOAA states, "To stay safe, you need to stay aware of the weather, the ocean, tide, and what is going on around you." They add, "Storms, such as thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes far out at sea can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach, even on a sunny day!"