LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If you're a storm chaser, this isn't the kind of record-breaking weather you want. For most us, it's a really good thing last May was much safer than normal from tornadoes.
According to the Storm Prediction Center, the division of the National Weather Service responsible for forecasting severe weather and issuing tornado watches, last May had the least number of tornado watches on record.
May was very quiet for several other reason as well.
SPC - "Severe weather was well below normal in May 2020, especially tornadoes. Watches, moderate/high outlooks, severe reports, and tornadoes were all well below normal, some at or near record low. The attached slides are a summary of just how anomalous May 2020 severe weather was.
Here is a summary:
-May 2020 was the first year without a moderate risk or higher Day 1 outlook issued in the 1995-present period.
-May 2020 had the fewest number of tornado watches in recorded history (1970-present).
-May 2020 had the fewest severe weather reports since May 2014.
-May 2020 had the fewest recorded tornadoes since at least 1970 (likely longer).
-May 2020 had the fewest number of EF2+ tornadoes in recorded history (1950-present).
A quieter weather pattern is obviously one big reason for the lack of tornadoes and watches. However, as technology and weather models get better and better, we are likely seeing less false alarms, thus fewer tornado watches.
