Tornado Alley

[Charles L.]

Hey guys, I have a quick question.

I am doing a research project over Tornado Alley (not as fun as it sounds I might add) and I need to know something.

When was the last time the "Tornado Alley map" was updated?

I need to know the year of when it was made and when it was last updated...if it even has been.

Thanks!

[Eric]

Hey guys, I have a quick question.

I am doing a research project over Tornado Alley (not as fun as it sounds I might add) and I need to know something.

When was the last time the "Tornado Alley map" was updated?

I need to know the year of when it was made and when it was last updated...if it even has been.

Thanks!

As far as regions, tornado count, areal coverage?

[Charles L.]

As far as regions, tornado count, areal coverage?

Tornado count. I am searching if "Tornado Alley" has shifted eastward over time or not.

[Eric]

Tornado count. I am searching if "Tornado Alley" has shifted eastward over time or not.

I would think that the count is updated after every season....

[Charles L.]

I would think that the count is updated after every season....

It is. I am in the process of typing this report up so I am a bit out of it (been up since 5 am and didn't hit the sack until 12:30).

I was more concerned with the map itself (the ones that depicts OK, TX, KS, NE, and SD as the zones)

What I am trying to find and have found is that they should include Arkansas and Missouri into that map...due to tornado frequency over the past 20-30 years.

[Eric]

It is. I am in the process of typing this report up so I am a bit out of it (been up since 5 am and didn't hit the sack until 12:30).

I was more concerned with the map itself (the ones that depicts OK, TX, KS, NE, and SD as the zones)

What I am trying to find and have found is that they should include Arkansas and Missouri into that map...due to tornado frequency over the past 20-30 years.

Sounds like an interesting read.  After the semester is over, if you feel comfortable enough, post it here.  I'm sure it would generate some good discussion.

[Charles L.]

Will do Eric. It isn't a long paper by any means (just 7 pages), but I feel it does the job. ha

[aubieman]

Tornado count. I am searching if "Tornado Alley" has shifted eastward over time or not.

I believe the map of TA that you are referring to reflects the frequency of major (F3 and above) tornadoes.  I also believe that there has always been a generally higher frequency of overall tornadoes further east.  This page is poorly cited but ultimately reflects NOAA data both old and new:
http://www.tornadochaser.net/tornalley.html

Edit: After looking again, this previous comment is a bit of an overstatement.  I'd love to see what you find.

[tennessee storm09]

i have seen some maps now have west tn, north miss. west ky. and southern ill. included in a tornado alley extended. i cant remember were i saw that though. i try to find it.

[Charles L.]

i have seen some maps now have west tn, north miss. west ky. and southern ill. included in a tornado alley extended. i cant remember were i saw that though. i try to find it.

From the research I have done I wouldn't bring it that far eastward, but no doubt would I add in Missouri and Arkansas.

[jmundie]

i have seen some maps now have west tn, north miss. west ky. and southern ill. included in a tornado alley extended. i cant remember were i saw that though. i try to find it.

I think what you've seen is that they've created another area in the arklamisstenn area that they've been calling dixie alley.

I think the plains still has the most tornados, but dixie alley has a lot, and more population/fatalities and tornados in that area tend to be nocturnal

[Charles L.]

I think what you've seen is that they've created another area in the arklamisstenn area that they've been calling dixie alley.

I think the plains still has the most tornados, but dixie alley has a lot, and more population/fatalities and tornados in that area tend to be nocturnal

Dixie Alley mainly consists of AL/GA/and MS...

In my research I also found a reason why Arkansas and Missouri shouldn't be included in Dixie Alley.

The main reason is due to location, location, location. The most active severe days across Dixie Alley occur when a powerful low pressure center rides up the Arklatex region into the Ohio Valley.

When this happens both Arkansas and Missouri are closest to the dynamics, but just do not get the instability values needed (take the April 27th severe event for example).

That is why I would count AR and MO as "Tornado Alley" zones rather than Dixie Alley zones...the systems that cause the most active days across AR and MO come from systems in extremely different areas than ones for AL and MS.

Just my worth.

[harlequin]

Is there a consensus on Dixie Alley? I did some Googling and a lot of the maps included different locations.

[tennessee storm09]

Dixie Alley mainly consists of AL/GA/and MS...

In my research I also found a reason why Arkansas and Missouri shouldn't be included in Dixie Alley.

The main reason is due to location, location, location. The most active severe days across Dixie Alley occur when a powerful low pressure center rides up the Arklatex region into the Ohio Valley.

When this happens both Arkansas and Missouri are closest to the dynamics, but just do not get the instability values needed (take the April 27th severe event for example).

That is why I would count AR and MO as "Tornado Alley" zones rather than Dixie Alley zones...the systems that cause the most active days across AR and MO come from systems in extremely different areas than ones for AL and MS.

Just my worth.

seems like west tennessee best chance for tornado action is when a strong low pressure system rides from eastern oklahoma through southern missouri on into southern regions of illinois, thats assuming the dynamics and other things are there to begiin with.

[Charles L.]

seems like west tennessee best chance for tornado action is when a strong low pressure system rides from eastern oklahoma through southern missouri on into southern regions of illinois, thats assuming the dynamics and other things are there to begiin with.

Correct. West TN is closer to being considered Tornado Alley than Dixie Alley, IMO.

harlequin: I don't think there is, yet, but I would still go with the AL, MS, and GA regions. Could add in southern TN, but that is as far northward as I would bring it.

Again, just my opinion though. All subjective stuff.