KXAN (AUSTIN) — We are approaching the climatological peak of severe weather season in Central Texas, including the risk for tornadoes.
Central Texas has been unusually quiet, from a severe weather perspective so far this year. Travis County saw it’s first Severe Thunderstorm Warning last Thursday, April 30.
We’re well behind the number of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings we had by this time last year (31 vs 123).
There have only been two Tornado Warnings in KXAN’s 15-county viewing area this year. Last year at this time we’d already had 10.
But our quiet start to the year doesn’t mean we’ll stay that way.
According to data from the Storm Prediction Center, the peak of the historical tornado risk in Central Texas is from mid May to late May, with a maximum from May 18-May 24.
How do tornadoes form?
While there is still much to be learned about tornado genesis, or the formation of tornadoes, we know that they require the presence of wind shear to develop. This is typically satisfied with higher wind speeds higher in the atmosphere than closer to the ground (speed shear), often from a slightly different direction, too (directional shear).
Those conditions create a horizontal tube of rotating air. That tube, in the presence of a thunderstorm with updraft winds, starts to lift.
The updraft then helps to pivot the tube from a horizontal tube into a vertical one.
That vertically rotating tube of air, if it continues to build downward, can lead to the development of a funnel cloud or tornado.
Tornado terminology
When conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes the National Weather Service can issue a Tornado Watch as a sign to get ready and prepared should tornadoes form…