In The Deep South, ‘Tornado Season’ Runs All Year

At least three are dead following an outbreak of more than two dozen tornadoes — some rated EF3 strength — that battered parts of the Deep South on Monday. In addition to the damage, the storms left many scratching their heads, wondering whether tornadoes in December are unusual.

They’re not overly rare — in fact, it’s the contrary. “Tornado season” for the southern United States runs most of the year.

As of Wednesday morning, at least 27 tornadoes had been confirmed across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama following Monday’s violent storms. Among them were three EF3 tornadoes on the 0 to 5 Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, near Alexandria, La.; Laurel, Miss., and Sumrall, Miss.

If we look at an average across the country, it’s true that tornado activity peaks during the spring and dwindles thereafter. But that’s across the nation as a whole. If we look at Gulf Coast states, however, the trends are a little different.