Tornado Shortage

You've probably heard about the widespread drought still in place over the nation's mid-section.

What about a drought most people love?  With April coming to an end, it may be safe to say the U.S. is in a short-term tornado drought.

U.S. Tornado Stats

According to Severe Weather Expert, Dr. Greg Forbes (Facebook | Twitter), only 67 tornadoes have touched down in the U.S. so far this April, according to preliminary data through April 28.  

Over the past 10 years (2003-2012), the April average through April 28 is 203 tornadoes.  If the month ended already, it would be the quietest April, tornado-wise, since 1992, according to Dr. Forbes.

2013 U.S. Tornadoes

Preliminary 2013 U.S. tornado reports through April 23. (Image credit: NOAA/NWS/Storm Prediction Center)

• ENLARGE

Contrast that with the record-setting April 2011, when an incredible 758 tornadoes recorded, including the massive "Superoutbreak" from April 25-28.  That's over 11 times the number of April 2013 tornadoes!

(RECAP:  Anniversary of a Superoutbreak)

This comes on the heels of the least tornadic March in the U.S. in 35 years.

When taking into account "tornado inflation", the increased reporting of tornadoes over the last few decades due to technological improvements, increased awareness, and the growth of spotter networks, the March-April period may deliver one of the lowest tornado counts on records, relative to what you would expect, according to Dr. Forbes.

With that said, we have had some notable tornadoes in 2013, including...

• Adairsville, Ga. (Jan. 30)
  (RECAPS:  Adairsville timeline | Outbreak recap)
• Hattiesburg, Miss. (Feb. 10)
  (RECAPS:  Maps, timeline | News/photos)
• Killer Miss./Ala. Tornado. (Apr. 11)
  (RECAP:  Facts, figures)

Let's delve into why we've slipped into this tornado drought.