Professor Links Climate Change to Tornado Strength, Frequency

New research by a Florida State University geography professor shows that climate change may be playing a key role in the strength and frequency of tornadoes hitting the United States. Published this week in the journal Climate Dynamics, the study by Professor James Elsner says that although tornadoes are forming fewer days per year, they are forming at a greater density and strength than ever before. For example, instead of one or two forming on a given day in an area, there might be three or four occurring. “We may be less threatened by tornadoes on a day-to-day basis, but when they do come, they come like there’s no tomorrow,” Elsner said.