Every summer, in various parts of the world where it gets really hot, something truly powerful and awe-inspiring happens.
Thunderclouds start forming and within them, these incredible funnel-shaped disturbances in the air appear.
We call them tornadoes.
When a tornado occurs, cool air from high up in the atmosphere comes rushing down.
It combines with water vapor and air to create a long funnel that stretches from the thundercloud all the way to the ground.
This is the main body of the tornado, often referred to as its “trunk.”
This rapidly spinning column of air, sometimes several hundred meters in diameter, races across the land at speeds of 50 to 100 km per hour.
It’s incredibly destructive, sucking in and tearing apart anything in its path.
Tornadoes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several hours, unleashing their fury upon the land.
Unlike hurricanes, which can be tracked and predicted with some accuracy, tornadoes remain extremely difficult to forecast.
In the United States, being able to provide a ten-minute warning before a tornado strikes is seen as a significant achievement.
Every year, the country experiences several hundred tornadoes, and in some years, the number surpasses a thousand.
Now, why does such a fearsome phenomenon seem to favor this particular continent, especially places like Florida?
When Tornado Season Strikes Florida?
June – Fierce and Fiery Funnel Frenzy
As the summer heat intensifies, so does the tornado activity in Florida.
Imagine this: in June alone, Florida witnesses an average of 13 tornadoes!
These monstrous whirlwinds can boast wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, capable of whisking away everything from lawn chairs to that leftover slice of key lime pie.
July – The Hot Mess of Humidity and Howling Winds
July in Florida means high temperatures, unbearable humidity, and the occasional tornado-shaped surprise.
Last year, the state experienced around 10 twisters during this month.
Just picture it: palm trees swaying in panic, pool noodles swirling through the air like mischievous snakes, and the unmistakable sound of homeowners frantically checking their insurance policies.
August – A Tornado Tango on the Tropical Dance Floor
August arrives with a bang, offering a dazzling display of dance moves by those spiraling tornadoes.
Last year, an average of 11 tornadoes tore through Florida, pirouetting their way across the state.
Picture this: swaying sunflowers, water sprouts doing their best impression of synchronized swimmers, and confused flamingos seeking refuge in the nearest hurricane-proof cabana.
September – Storm Spinners and Surprise Serenades
September may bring a glimmer of hope for cooler weather, but it also brings a few stormy surprises.
On average, Florida experiences about 7 tornadoes during this month.
Imagine this: pelicans swooping through the air, trying to avoid being caught up in the whimsical dance of the twisters, while Floridians gather under palm-frond umbrellas, wondering if they should start practicing their storm-chasing skills.
October – Tricks, Treats, and Tornado Tales
October in Florida means not only pumpkin spice lattes and ghostly decorations but also a handful of tornadoes spinning their way through the state.
With an average of 6 tornadoes during this month, you might spot a witch’s broomstick getting a lift from the powerful winds.
So hold onto your cauldrons and beware of flying broom parking tickets!
November – The Grand Finale of Tornado Season
As families gather around the Thanksgiving table, the stage is set for the grand finale of tornado season in Florida.
With an average of 5 tornadoes during November, it’s a whirlwind symphony bidding farewell to the turbulent season.
Picture this: turkey feathers floating through the air, colorful autumn leaves mingling with tornado debris, and Grandma’s famous apple pie spinning like a top.
December – A Temporary Respite from Twisting Tempests
By December, tornado season in Florida usually takes a well-deserved break, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath.
While the twisters may be resting, Floridians embrace a sense of relief as they trade in their storm-preparation anxiety for a festive spirit.
Picture this: snowflake-shaped confetti sprinkling down instead of rain, and Santa’s sleigh making a triumphant touchdown on calm, clear rooftops.
Remember, tornado season in Florida is no laughing matter, but a little humor can help you weather the storm.
Stay alert, keep your weather app handy, and hold onto your sense of adventure as you navigate the unpredictable twists and turns of this whirlwind spectacle!
How Often is Florida Hit By Tornado?
Tornadoes in Florida are every 1.96 years (75 times already since 1871).
According to Hurricane City, a hurricane tracking website, here are the 10 cities most frequently hit or hit by hurricanes since records began in 1871:
- Cape Hatteras, NC: every 1.34 years (110 hurricanes since 1871)
- Morehead City, NC: every 1.52 years.
- Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas: every 1.63 years.
- Wilmington, North Carolina: every 1.69 years.
- Cayman Islands (the most affected area in the Caribbean): every 1.73 years.
- Great Abaco Island, Bahamas: every 1.81 years.
- Andros Island, Bahamas: every 1.84 years.
- Bermuda: every 1.86 years.
- Savannah, Georgia: every 1.91 years.
- Miami, Florida: every 1.96 years (75 times since 1871)
How Long is Tornado Season in Florida?
Tornado Season in Florida lasts for 6 months( 2 seasons) , summer and autumn.
But Usually weather can also be an important factor in determining the duration of a tornado.
Tornadoes also can happen in spring and summer months.
According to an analysis of 4,000 tropical cyclones from 1979 to 2017, American researchers have concluded that not only are storms getting stronger, but they are happening much more often because of global warming.
In another study, scientists found that Bermuda’s hurricanes are twice as strong as they were six decades ago, according to the journal Environmental Research Letters.
And this is the evidence:
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted average storm activity in 2022.
In late May, there were 13 to 20 named storms.
Six to ten of them reached hurricane status, with up to five of them developed into major hurricanes, meaning their winds reached at least 111 mph.
What Month Has the Most Tornadoes in Florida?
Tornadoes in Florida start from the middle of July till the middle of November.
June is notable in Miami because this summer month is the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season and it lasts until the end of November.
History knows many destructive winds, for example, the crushing “Andrew” hit the city at the end of the summer of 1992, so the locals are used to having the most necessary things in one easily accessible place so that in case of danger there is a possibility of a quick evacuation.
Why do Tornadoes Occur in Florida?
Usually, the occurrence of tornadoes is associated with powerful breakthroughs of cold air on a very warm (above 75.2 °) surface.
Most often, in such a situation, water tornadoes form over the ocean without reaching the land surface, but sometimes tornadoes from the land surface also move to the Ocean coast, leaving very significant water reserves in the foothills, which, together with showers, leads to flooding of valleys.
Sometimes tornadoes form in the ocean right away.
Then,these waterspouts most often break up in the sea and cause minimal damage.
Tornadoes can form any time of the year, but are especially common in the spring and early summer.
How Long Do Tornadoes Last in Florida?
Usually, Tornadoes in Florida last no longer than 10 minutes.
It can take more than 1.3 miles until they encounter a force that causes them to dissipate.
But some powerful tornadoes travel 6 miles in Florida, destroying all life on the way.
In Florida, there have been many tornadoes in the past that have touched and gone.
This means it barely lasted a few seconds before moving on to something else.
Meanwhile, there were several infamous tornadoes that lasted over three hours.
The duration of a tornado will depend on a variety of factors such as the speed at which it arrived, the shape as well as the size.
Tornadoes, which typically come at speeds ranging from 150 mph to 300 mph, can easily last more than two hours.
How To Evaluate Tornadoes?
Tornados are too fleeting and powerful, so their intensity is difficult to measure.
Scientists evaluate them by destruction, using the Fujita-Pearson scale.
The scale consists of 6 categories: from F0 to F6.
The most common tornadoes are categories F1 and F2.
F0 and F1 category tornado winds reach 40 to 112 mph.
These tornadoes cause relatively light damage, and their lot is broken branches of trees and external damage to buildings.
F2 and F3 category tornadoes with winds up to 112-206 mph can already cause serious damage.
These tornadoes uproot trees, tear off roofs, and lift cars and trucks into the air.
Category F4 tornadoes develop wind speeds of up to 207 – 260 mph, so they can raze houses to the ground and destroy a lot around them.
The strongest F5 tornado rushes at a speed of 260 – 318 mph, sweeping away buildings and bridges, destroying skyscrapers and throwing cars up to two kilometers away.
Category F6 exists only in theory, it is never assigned to terrestrial tornadoes, even if their speed is more than 318 mph.
The theoretical speed of the tornado F6 is equal to the speed of sound.
The maximum wind speed of the most powerful tornadoes is difficult to measure: after all, not a single meteorological instrument will survive near it.
FAQs
How often is Florida hit by tornado?
Florida is hit by tornadoes every 1.96 years, with 75 occurrences since 1871.
How long is tornado season in Florida?
Tornado season in Florida lasts for 6 months, from summer to autumn.
However, tornadoes can occur in spring and summer months as well.
What month has the most tornadoes in Florida?
Tornadoes in Florida are most frequent from the middle of July to the middle of November, with June marking the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season that lasts until the end of November.
Why do tornadoes occur in Florida?
Tornadoes usually occur when powerful breakthroughs of cold air meet very warm surface temperatures above 75.2°F.
Such conditions can lead to the formation of water tornadoes over the ocean or land surface, causing significant damage in their path.
How long do tornadoes last in Florida?
Tornadoes in Florida typically last no longer than 10 minutes, but some powerful tornadoes have been known to travel up to 6 miles, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
How are tornadoes evaluated?
Tornadoes are evaluated based on the destruction they cause using the Fujita-Pearson scale, which ranges from F0 to F6.
The most common tornadoes are categories F1 and F2, while F5 is the strongest, causing severe damage to buildings and infrastructure.
