Climate Change and Tornadoes

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Climate change is without doubt the most significant problem facing mankind today. The potential effects of the changing climate include rising sea levels, floods, droughts, bush fires and severe weather. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change state in a 2001 report that global warming is likely to make hurricanes, which originate over the sea, stronger, but does climate change cause an increase in the occurrence and strength of tornadoes? This question has caused much debate in the scientific community and there still is no scientific consensus. While research shows that there has been an increase in tornado frequency and intensity over the last 20 years, scientists are still debating whether there is a direct link between this change and our changing climate.

What we do know about climate change and tornadoes

Climate change is more than just an increase in surface temperature – considerable atmospheric changes also take place.
Scientists predict that global warming will increase the energy in the atmosphere, which is a key factor in the formation of tornadoes.
As a result of the warmer air the atmosphere will be able to hold more moisture, which is the second key factor in the formation of tornadoes.
This energy and moisture cause atmospheric instability that results in a greater potential for tornadoes to form.

Climate change and tornado statistics

Tornado America is the country that experiences the largest number of tornadoes each year. Northern Europe, Asia and Australia also frequently experience tornadoes. Between 1960 and 1990 the occurrence of tornadoes in the USA almost doubled:

1960: 617 tornadoes
1970: 655 tornadoes
1980: 867 tornadoes
1990: 1134 tornadoes

Source: http://www.disastercenter.com/tornado/tornad2.htm

We are only half way through 2007 and in the USA it is already being referred to as the worst tornado season ever.

In spite of the data available, due to the unpredictable nature of tornadoes there is little consensus in the scientific community on how global warming will affect the frequency and intensity of tornadoes. While scientists generally do agree that global warming will cause hurricanes to increase in wind intensity and precipitation the same cannot be said for tornadoes. Some scientists believe that the conditions created by global warming will increase the potential for tornadoes to form and therefore we will see an increase in numbers, while other scientists believe that the increase in tornado activity is simply due to normal cycles in atmospheric temperature and air currents.

Solutions to lessen the impact of climate change

What scientists do agree on is that global warming will have a great impact on extreme weather such as storms, severe droughts and flooding. Whether conditions created by global warming increase the potential for tornadoes or not it is essential that we find solutions to the greatest challenge facing mankind. The only way for us to lessen the effects of our rapidly changing climate is to change our lifestyles. By implementing simple changes, such as using renewable energy, you can reduce the amount of CO2 you emit. Be a part of the solution and join the fight against global warming.

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