The month of May has always had a tornadic reputation, which brings the first weather concern as the month starts - tornadoes.
As May begins this weekend, the month typically starts with hurricane season. However, this year's May weather can also bring warmer temperatures and even snow, The Weather Channel reported. In fact, many are looking forward to enjoying longer daylight as per forecasted.
Having multiple recent events of hurricane season beginning early, starting the month particularly warm is a highlight for many as the first sign of kicking of summer season. This year, the Eastern Pacific hurricane season will come "a little earlier" than the Atlantic season due to sea-surface temperatures.
Most Tornadic Month of the Year
May peaks of tornadoes and tropical storms most of the years, when severe thunderstorms and tornado activity come together most often. This typically includes disturbances in the jet stream pushing out of the Rockies and into the Plains, interacting with warm air and ample moisture, says the weather channel.
In the US, the month of May brings the most violent and numerous tornadoes, according to the Weather Channel. The greatest tornado risk area for May includes Texas to Iowa, where ingredients for severe thunderstorms have the highest chance of coming together.
Based on 2001 to 2020 data, the average number of May tornadoes in the U.S. is 276, which is notably higher than months of April and June (second and third busiest months for tornadoes).
While actual tornadic outcome can vary in any given year May illustrates to be the most favorable month of the year for the strongest twisters over the past three years.
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Changes in May
Due to warming sea temperatures and weaker wind shear in the Eastern Pacific, early May will most likely bring a summer feeling and fairly mild temperatures for the most part across the U.S. Meanwhile, average temperatures begin to erase footprints of winter as snow becomes less likely in most locations by the end of the month. Typically, Northeast and Midwest regions show signs of summer by Memorial Day.
By May 31, 2022, "the average high in New York City reaches 75 degrees and the average low is 59, a big improvement from the average low of 40 in early April. Chicago experiences about a 10-degree temperature increase in its average high temperature from May 1 to May 31, rising from 65 degrees to 76, and the average low climbs from 46 degrees to 56," the weather channel reports.
"Farther west, Denver has an average high in the mid-60s in early May but reaches 78 degrees by May 31. Average low temperatures also increase by about 10 degrees, reaching the upper 40s by late May."
Heat continues to build across the South, including Dallas which has an average high of 79 on May 1, but climbs to 88 by the end of the month, when the average low is 69 degrees.
One of the most noticeable signs of summer is the increase in daylight hours, most evident across the northern tier of the U.S.
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