Tornado facts

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

Tornadoes strike anywhere, even in a city!

Our cool weather this late winter/spring has kept severe weather away from the area so far.  But, did you know we are in the heart of tornado season?

Illinois has had tornadoes strike every month of the year, as early as January, and as late as December 23rd (Merry Christmas!).  Though the vast majority of tornadoes strike in the March, April, and May months.

The time of the day doesn't matter either, but the 3:00 - 7:00 pm time slight is slightly favored.  Tornadoes after dark are the worst because you cannot see them coming.

The weather service has greatly improved getting watches and warnings out to the public.  If you watch the Weather Channel, they even tell you DAYS in advance where the prime areas might be.  On our Twitter page, we even keep you apprised of possible hazardous weather.

Some tornado myths have been debunked:

• Do NOT open your windows.  Scientists thought that the uneven pressure caused homes to collapse, which is doesn't.  Take that time to take shelter instead.
• Stay in the southwest corner of your building.  The thinking was that most tornadoes move southwest to northeast, and the southwest corner would be the safest spot.  Find a secure spot in your lowest level.
• A tornado will not hit the same community twice.  Tell that to the people of Codell, KS, who suffered a tornado on May 20th in each year of 1916, 1917, & 1918!

The strongest tornadoes can hit wind speeds of >300 mph, be two miles wide, and travel >20 miles on the ground.  The infamous Tri-state tornado, March 18, 1925, traveled >200 miles and lasted three hours!