South Dakota is famous for extreme weather, most notably with our blizzards and freezing wintertime temperatures. While we are known both near and far for our snow, we have to deal with several other extremes as well, including tornadoes, which are predicted to be worse than ever this spring:
According to AccuWeather, the United States will experience an above-average amount of tornadoes in the coming months, with predictions of 1,350 to 1,450 for 2020.
Flickr/Forest Service Northern Region To put that into perspective, the U.S. typically sees between 1,253 to 1,297 tornadoes each year.
While both the south and east have seen record-breaking storms already this year, the Plains states (including South and North Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and eastern Colorado) and Midwest may get hit hard over the next few months, citing an active north jet stream and increased surface temperatures.
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In addition to the active jet stream and warmer surface temperatures, South Dakota has always been a hotbed for tornadoes, thanks to its location along “Tornado Alley,” which historically sees more action than other states.
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What makes “Tornado Alley” an alley for, well, tornadoes? It is thanks to its central location that gets hit by several different jetstreams, including cold and dry air from the northwest, warm dry air from the southwest, and warm moist air via the Texas panhandle.
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Needless to say, South Dakota is no stranger to tornadoes, as the Mount Rushmore State has seen such devastating storms as the Delmont Tornado (which saw a small town virtually demolished) and Spencer Tornado of 1998 (which is considered to be the most destructive tornado in South Dakota history, killing 6 and injuring more than 150 people).
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While tornadoes can be terrifying, there is some good news to come out of more recent years, as - thanks to both advances in weather science and technology and common weather-alerting apps - the number of annual tornado-related fatalities continues to decrease.
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What should you do if there is a tornado in your neighborhood? The Center for Disease Control recommends ALWAYS being prepared no matter your whereabouts, so be sure to note the nearest shelter (especially if you are outside) and to pack an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, and medication.
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To learn even more about tornadoes in SoDak, check out Most People Don’t Know About South Dakota’s Deadly Tornado Alley.
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Address: South Dakota, USA
Flickr/Forest Service Northern Region
To put that into perspective, the U.S. typically sees between 1,253 to 1,297 tornadoes each year.
john finney photography/Moment via Getty Images
FEMA personnel/Wikimedia Commons
Dan Craggs/Wikimedia Commons
NZP Chasers/Moment via Getty Images
aboutaboyo/Moment Open via Getty Images
