Though the findings mark 30 years of tornadoes, Florida has seen far fewer fatalities than several other states in recent years, which is making some meteorologists question the study's validity.
"From 2008 through June 16, 2014, there have been two tornado-related fatalities in Florida. In 2011 alone, 245 Alabamians lost their lives from tornadoes, and another 158 were killed in Joplin, Missouri, according to data from the Storm Prediction Center," said weather.com senior meteorologist Jon Erdman. "Florida's deadliest tornado outbreak claimed 42 lives in central Florida on Feb. 22-23, 1998."
Konrad's work makes sense and fits with earlier research on tornado fatalities, said Florida State University meteorology professor James Elsner and Barb Mayes Boustead, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist and tornado chaser.
Visibility is another problem for tornadoes in the Southeast. Because of atmospheric conditions, the region tends to get more tornadoes at night, making them harder to see, Konrad said. It also means some people may be asleep and miss warnings.
The South also has more trees and buildings to block the view of oncoming tornadoes, Konrad said. And they also tend to come from low-hanging clouds, making them harder to see.
Florida tends to get tornadoes more in the winter, while the Southeast tornado season is February through April, Konrad said. The Midwest generally sees them in the spring and summer.
http://www.wunderground.com/news/florida-midwest-tornado-study-20140617
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