2013 Tornadoes: Slow Pace, So Far

We are in the middle of a tornado drought, and 2013 is on track to possibly be a record low tornado year, forecasters say.

Only 674 tornadoes have been reported in the U.S. so far this year. That's 38 percent below average, according to tornado expert Dr. Greg Forbes of The Weather Channel.

January was the only month that's been above average, Forbes said. It had 74 tornadoes, 2.3 times the average number of tornadoes.

The numbers don't mean it has been an easy tornado year. At least 44 people have died in the U.S.from tornadoes this year. Two extremely destructive tornadoes devastated towns in Oklahoma in May.

"It's a been a year with some notorious tornadoes," said Forbes said.

NOAA

Tornado Reports 2013

The red dots indicate tornado reports, as logged by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) from January 1, 2013 - August 19, 2013.

An EF-5 tornado touched down in Moore, Okla., killing 23. It was the first EF-5 in two years. Entire neighborhoods were flattened in Moore and an elementary school was reduced to rubble. The community is struggling to rebuild. 

Preliminary 2013 tornado stats (as of Aug. 20, 2013)

• 674 tornadoes
• 9 killer tornadoes
• 44 deaths

http://www.weather.com/news/tornado-central/2013-tornadoes-low-pace-so-far-20130820