More Tornadoes Are Occurring in Eastern Cities

On Oct. 10, rotating supercell thunderstorms spawned five tornadoes across eastern Georgia and southern South Carolina as remnants of Hurricane Isaias pushed tropical air across the southeastern United States. One day later, tornadoes downed trees across central and eastern North Carolina.

The outbreaks were associated with a tropical cyclone, but they also come amid what meteorologists call a "second season" of severe weather — when the cooler months from October through February can bring stronger wind shear, one of the conditions necessary for tornado formation. During this stretch, atmospheric energy that fuels tornadic storms is more likely to develop in the South, according to Robert "Jeff" Trapp, professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

And the recent storms coincided with a broader geographical shift — a pattern, researchers have identified, in recent years of tornado activity shifting eastward in the United States. That makes it a pertinent time for residents in cities across the East to revisit tips on how to stay safe — even if you’re in an apartment building or a high-rise complex.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.