This year severe weather season has been highly active, with a record number of tornadoes produced in the first quarter of the year. 

According to Aaron Wilson, State Climatologist of Ohio and assistant professor - Ag Weather and Climate Field Specialist, Department of Extension - CFAES at The Ohio State University, Ohio experienced more twisters than inches of snow in February. Tornado alley is often associated with states like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, but some are now wondering if it is shifting to the east to include Ohio. Wilson suggests more research is needed to confirm any movement. Still, there is also a reporting bias as people are more aware of dangerous storms and tornado sightings today than before.

Although they can cause widespread destruction, according to Geddy Davis, program coordinator at the State Climate Office of Ohio, tornadoes are considered a more isolated weather phenomenon, so it is difficult to link any one tornado to climate change. Nevertheless, Ohio has seen an increase in tornado-favorable days, driven by climate change, specifically warmer and wetter weather. 

Tornados result from a mix of ingredients, such as a thunderstorm, warm air near the earth's surface and cold air higher up in the atmosphere. Another ingredient is strong wind shear, which is substantial changes in horizontal wind speed and direction with height.

Climate change is impacting the seasonality of tornados, as warmer winters bring these ingredients together more often and at different times, leading to an increase in frequency. Jana Houser, associate professor in Atmospheric Sciences Program at Ohio State, notes that, as a result, there is variability in the frequency of tornados from year to year, but this is not necessarily a sign that the alley is moving.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the southeastern United States has seen more tornado outbreaks in recent years. Visit the National Centers for Environmental Information to see the Monthly Tornadoes Report.

To access the related article in The Columbus Dispatch, visit Columbus Dispatch Subscribers only or Ohio State access.

To learn more about the increasing number of days with favorable conditions for tornadoes, visit Spatial trends in United States tornado frequency published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science.

Read more about potential future shifts in pattern and activity of supercells across the United States.