The news media reported that the devastating tornadoes that hit the Midwest and South were the worst in a quarter century. In the 2000 Farmers’ Almanac we ran an article titled100 Most Memorable Weather Events of the past century. Growing up I remember a number of tornadoes and seeing the destruction it left in its wake. Here are the tornadoes that made that 100 events list (more than I thought):

1908 April 24 Tornado swarm - Killed 155 in Ms. and 37 in Alabama; greatest loss near Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

1925 March 18 The Great Tri-state Tornado - Mo., Ill. and Ind: worst US tornado disaster with 695695 deaths including 234 at Murfreesboro, Tn and 126 at West Frankfort, Il; seven other tornadoes hit the same day raising the total to 792.

1932 March 21 Alabama Tornadoes - a series of devastating tornadoes killed 269, injured 1,874 and caused $5 million in damages.

1936 April 6 Gainesville (Ga) Tornado 203 killed, 934 injured, $13 million damage.

1947 April 9 Southern Plains Tri-state Tornado - Tracked 221 miles from Texas through Oklahoma to Kansas; 169 killed, 980 injured, damage at $9.7 million; Woodward, Ok had 101 dead.

1953 June 8 Flint, Michigan Tornado 116 killed.

1953 June 9 Worcester County (Ma) Tornado - East’s most deadly tornado, 90 victims, property damage at $53 million, then a record high. Some consideration had been given to the possibility of a tornado but it was felt that it “couldn’t happen here”.

1965 April 11 Palm Sunday Tornadoes 37 funnels descended in Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio; 271 killed; 3,000 injured; damage in excess of $500 million.

1966 March 3 Jackson, Mississippi Tornado - 54 killed.

1974 April 3 Super Tornado Tornado Outbreak - 148 tornadoes in 12 states; 309 fatalities, 5,300 injuries: Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio hardest hit; Xenia, Ohio devastated.

These ten tornado events made our list of most memorable during the last century. Blizzards and hurricanes get more play in the press. They are large and move slowly and plenty of warning issued. Tornadoes are quick and lethal many times coming in the dead of the night. I remember the 1974 tornadoes and still have pictures of Xenia etched in my mind. The entire community was leveled. So, I goggled Xenia and see that it is a warm and vibrant community of 25,000 today. It is never easy but we wish all injured or damaged by tornadoes this week a quick and complete recovery.

One last things. In our outlook for 2008, we mention “Spring looks cool and somewhat wet for many areas. Across Tornado Alley in the nation’s heartland, 2008 should be an unusually active season“. As you will note above, most tornadoes occurred in March - June. A February storm of this magnitude was unexpected to say the least.

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by pgeiger
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With the exception of the folks living in the Mid-Atlantic States, this has become a winter to remember. Our hearts go out to the folks in Tennessee and throughout the Midwest and South touched by tornadoes yesterday. Not only is this an unusual time of the year for tornado activity, but this is the worst tornado devastation in more than a quarter century. Tornadoes are among the cruelest of all weather phenomenon. The sight and sound of a tornado funnel is scary enough. The way a storm devastates one building but leaves others alone is cruel to say the least.
In the 2006 Farmers’ Almanac, we had an article called “Extreme Weather”. We discussed Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Hail. The information is so valuable, I have created a link to the story.

One of the biggest pieces of confusion surrounding what to do in case of an approaching tornado is … Leave all windows open to prevent breaking or leave all windows closed to keep pressure from building against the roof of the structure.

The second choice (leaving the windows closed) is the correct answer. The old theory was that the drop in air pressure as a tornado hit a building caused the higher pressure inside to push the walls out - to make the building “explode”. After the Wichita Falls tornado damage (1979) researchers realized that wind blowing into open windows pushes up on the roof. At the same time wind blowing over the roof is making it act like an airplane wing that generates a lifting force. If the roof lifts off, the walls can fall outward, making it look like the building exploded.

It was interesting to listen to the students at Union University in Jackson, TN. Their instinct to get to a bathroom was right on. Our article from 2006 provides valuable insights into Tornadoes including Survival Tips.

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tornadoes, tornado survival, extreme weather, Farmers’ Almanac

by pgeiger
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In previous issues of the Farmers’ Almanac, website and on Farmers’ Almanac Television, we have discussed how animals can predict weather. In the 1999 edition we  talked about how cats and dogs react prior to an earthquake. Apparently, snakes are also indicators, if you can find one. People who live close to the earth can observe animals observing the weather. Here is an interesting comment from a wildlife expert.

I love your article on animals telling us about the weather.Being on a ranch I can know of impending weather.Horses Biting and fighting means a storm is 2to3 days away.Cats sleeping with their nose up means Rain or snow is coming.This last fall we saw all livestock and dear,elk  coats thick and more hollow and I said by September we were in for a long wet winter.This has been the wettest winter in 10 yrs and it’s not going away soon.Thank you Kasey. (Northernlights Wildlife Rescue)

Many of us don’t have horses. But, it would be interesting to hear from cat lovers. Have you observed your cat sleeping with his/ her nose up followed by rain or snow??  If so, I’d love to hear from you at pgeier@farmersalmanac.com.  Or, do you have other observations about animal activities and impending weather?

by pgeiger
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There some folks who are just great thinkers and come up with a question I have to defer to my otherwise brilliant astronomer, Joe Rao. Here are couple “what if” questions about the sun and Joe’s response.

by pgeiger
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According to groundhogs it all depends on where you live. So much attention goes to Punxsutawney Phil that we forget that he is speaking for the Mid Atlantic states. There are a number of other groundhogs who are dragged out for a local prognostication. So, here are the calls:

Canada

Wiarton Willie (Ontario) - Early Spring

Shubnedacadie Sam (Nova Scotia)  - Early Spring

Balzac Billy (Alberta)  - Early Spring

United States

Punxsutawney Phil (Penn) - More Winter

General Lee (Georgia) - Early Spring

Woody Woodchuck (Michigan) - Early Spring

Ms. G (Mass.) - More Winter

Staten Island Chuck - (New York) - Early Spring

Buckeye Buck (Ohio) - Early Spring

There are other groundhogs. But you can see that most are calling for an Early Spring which is good news if you are paying for heating oil. But, if you are counting on Old Phil, don’t put your shovels away quite yet!

How about the Super Bowl. During the first 20 years, they were yawners for the most part. But this was a nail-biter. While I live in Maine, I have to congratulate the Giants on their win. They earned it. For me, it’s on to baseball. 

by pgeiger
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If you are in the weather business, nothing is bigger than Groundhog Day. Each February it is a little brighter and there is an inkling that the end (of winter) is in sight. Or, is it?  We turn to the groundhog to tell us if there will be 6 more weeks of winter. The little guy is pulled from his warm comfortable hole and exposed to thousands of well wishers. If he sees his shadow, he heads back into the hole and it is 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see a shadow, it will be an early Spring.

So, when you get up tomorrow, think groundhog.  In anticipation of this day, go to our home page and watch the Farmers’ Almanac Television version of Punxsutawney Phil and his day. Enjoy!

by pgeiger
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