Public Information Statement from the National Weather Service:
Although peak severe weather season in middle Tennessee occurs during the Spring months of March, April and may, when the mid state gets two thirds of its tornadoes, the autumn season is certainly not immune to active weather.
Climatologically, the month of November provides a secondary peak in tornado activity outside The Springs months. This fact hits home November 10, 2002, when eleven twisters struck the mid state, resulting in eight fatalities. This was the fifth largest tornado outbreak in middle Tennessee’s history. This was the worst tornado disaster for the whole State of Tennessee since the April third and fourth outbreak in 1974.
Then…on November 15, 2005, there were 19 twisters in middle Tennessee. This was the second largest tornado outbreak in middle Tennessee history. Fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Of course, tornado and severe weather are not the only types of hazardous weather to occur in our area during the fall. With November traditionally marking the beginning of the rainy season, flash flooding and river flooding can also occur.
The National Weather Service usually promotes severe weather awareness week in February, just prior to peak tornado season. But, we also wish to set aside October 17 as severe weather awareness day to remind citizens of middle Tennessee that we are certainly not without risk during the fall, as well.
Now is the time to review severe weather safety tips. Know the difference between a “watch” and a “warning”. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or commercial broadcasts during impending severe weather.
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