Dear Tom,
As a kid in New Jersey, I cannot recall hearing about tornadoes, but in Chicago we hear about them. Does the Atlantic Ocean reduce the tornado threat?
Andy Charen
Dear Andy,
Your question lacks a definitive answer. The conditions that generate tornado-producing thunderstorms depend upon a proper union of atmospheric and terrain components. Those conditions are satisfied most completely in the so-called "tornado alley" of the Great Plains, and the tornado threat diminishes with increasing distance from that region.
However, local features also affect tornado frequency. Cool air from Lake Michigan usually weakens thunderstorms, but the lake breeze "cold front" sometimes strengthens them, as does the Atlantic Ocean sea breeze front. New Jersey, far from tornado alley, usually lacks other atmospheric conditions conducive to severe weather.
As a kid in New Jersey, I cannot recall hearing about tornadoes, but in Chicago we hear about them. Does the Atlantic Ocean reduce the tornado threat?
Andy Charen
Dear Andy,
Your question lacks a definitive answer. The conditions that generate tornado-producing thunderstorms depend upon a proper union of atmospheric and terrain components. Those conditions are satisfied most completely in the so-called "tornado alley" of the Great Plains, and the tornado threat diminishes with increasing distance from that region.
However, local features also affect tornado frequency. Cool air from Lake Michigan usually weakens thunderstorms, but the lake breeze "cold front" sometimes strengthens them, as does the Atlantic Ocean sea breeze front. New Jersey, far from tornado alley, usually lacks other atmospheric conditions conducive to severe weather.
