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Rating tornado warnings charts a path to improve forecasts
A funnel cloud from a tornado in Kansas on May 24, 2016, inside the United States’ so-called “Tornado Alley.”Lane Pearman/Flickr
The United States experiences more tornadoes than any other country, with a season that peaks in spring or summer depending on the region. Tornadoes are often deadly, especially in places where buildings can’t withstand high winds.
Accurate advanced warnings can save lives. A study from the University of Washington and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes a new way to rate and possibly improve tornado warnings. It finds that nighttime twisters, summer tornadoes and smaller events remain the biggest challenges for the forecasting community.