Friday’s tornado reports are not uncommon for this time of the year, yet it is late in the season.
There were 10 reports of tornadoes that came in Friday afternoon and early evening. Most of those reports were near the Kansas City area and couple of reports from Illinois.
The 8 reports around Kansas City are likely of the same tornado; the storm captured in multiple witness photos. Here is one from Leslie Henry Owen via her Facebook page. This particular tornado is believed to have caused damage to a home and injured one person.
Although it may seem late in the season for tornadoes, they are possible any day of the year. April through July is the most likely time.
The peak of the year happens in May. This year was no exception to that with 414 reports. However, it has been a relatively quiet tornado season overall.
So far there are just over 1,000 reported tornadoes in 2015, the average is more than 1,200 to date. *This indicates reported tornadoes and some of those reports may be of the same tornado.
This is actually the 4th year in a row of lower than average tornado reports. 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, were much lower than average. 2013 had a record few reported.
In total, there have only been 10 reported fatalities across the US. That’s great considering the 3yr average is 56. Better warning systems, including apps for cell phones, may have helped keep this number low. Also we didn’t see as many large metro areas threatened as in years past.
For Colorado, the average in a year is 46 tornadoes; we’ve had a reported 52. Some of those still need to be verified so that they aren’t counting different reports of the same tornado.
On June 4th, the largest tornado of the year developed near Berthoud. It grew to an EF-3 category (winds: 140mph) damaging a number of structures/homes. On the same day 6 other tornadoes touched down near Simla. This was the single most active day of the year.
Colorado isn’t known for fall or winter tornadoes as it’s usually too cold by those months. However, it still remains possible to see a late season tornado. Especially considering our warmer than average temperatures so far this fall.
Matt Makens is a Colorado native -- Douglas County born and raised. He is the 12th person certified as a broadcast meteorologist in the country, and the only one in Denver that is from here. He is also Colorado's most awarded weather anchor in the past 4 years. You can follow his updates on facebook and twitter.
