Stormy Spring/Summer In North Dakota With More Tornadoes?

This could be a stormy spring/summer in North Dakota with more tornadoes in the state.

A recent map showing increased tornado activity across the upper Midwest, including much of North Dakota has been making its rounds across social media.

Midwest Weather Facebook Screenshot

This map comes from the Midwest Weather Facebook page. It shows that the traditional tornado alley has shifted further north and it includes a much greater chance for tornadoes for virtually all of North Dakota.

Why are we going into a stormy weather pattern?

Signs are pointing to a La Nina weather pattern taking hold as early as April. The post from Midwest Weather goes on to say a stronger Pacific jetstream will allow for an active weather pattern to settle in, especially in April, May, and June.

They are also calling for above-average precipitation for the spring months (good news for potential drought fears in North Dakota).

Overall, much of the Plains and Mississippi Valley will experience more tornadoes than normal this spring and summer, according to the Midwest Weather Post.

As you can see by the screenshot this map has been shared a staggering 8.6 thousand times. North Dakota is not typically a big tornado outbreak state.

The majority of the tornadoes occur each year in the eastern part of the state, and it's been a long time since somebody from North Dakota was actually killed in a tornado.

Just how long has it been since somebody died from a tornado in North Dakota?

According to the Grand Forks Herald, the last time North Dakota had a documented death from a tornado was back on July 23rd, 1997 in Renville County (northwest of Minot).

To put that in perspective, you have a much, much greater chance of being killed on the way home from work this afternoon in a car accident than dying from a tornado in North Dakota.

Still, tornadoes do cause damage in North Dakota, especially to property and livestock. Something to keep an eye on this spring and summer.

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