Study Reveals Potential Future Shift in Pattern and Activity of Supercells Across the United States

April 10, 2023

Study Reveals Potential Future Shift in Pattern and Activity of Supercells Across the United States

Tornado damage area with houses and uprooted trees

A study published earlier this year in the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society titled The Future of Supercells in the United States, reveals that supercell thunderstorms responsible for deadly tornadoes and damaging hail will become more frequent and intense in future climates in the United States. The study used high-resolution climate simulations across 15-year epochs that span the 21st century to explore how supercells may change across the region. The results indicate that supercells are projected to become more numerous in regions of the eastern U.S. while decreasing in frequency in portions of the Great Plains, traditionally known as "Tornado Alley." In addition, supercell risk is expected to escalate outside of the traditional severe storm season, with supercells and their perils likely to increase in the late winter and early spring months under both emissions scenarios. These findings suggest the potential for more significant tornadoes, hail, and extreme rainfall that may produce disastrous consequences.

You can read more about this study by visiting the published article.