Severe Thunderstorm Threatens Central, Eastern US During First Week of Spring [Weather Forecast]

Severe thunderstorm is threatening the central and eastern parts of the United States in the later part of the first week of spring, which starts on Monday, March 20. The severe weather is expected to bring several weather hazards, including flooding due to heavy rain, large hail, and strong winds. The looming weather system can also spawn isolated tornadoes, based on previous season.

Weather forecast about the severe storms came a week after a nor'easter passed through the New England and Northeast regions, causing the cancellations and delays of flights. The forecast also follows the renewed flooding rain and heavy snow in California this month, like the atmospheric river-driven storms back in January.

In 2022, the US spring season was marked by deadly tornadoes amid severe thunderstorms in the Central US and its surrounding regions. These natural disasters have struck even populated areas, leading to multiple casualties. Last year reportedly generated the most March tornadoes in the recorded history of the country.

Severe Thunderstorm Alert

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys stated a series of storms is expected to appear from the central Rockies before pushing towards the Midwest or Ohio Valley regions from Tuesday to Friday, March 21 to March 24.

Roys forecasts constant rainfall will bring a heightened risk of floodwaters from northwestern Arkansas to Indiana and western Ohio, where most of the region has witnessed an increase from normal rainfall by 125% to 200% since the start of March.

Severe thunderstorms often generate tornadoes and other of the mentioned weather hazards. In the same period last year, a severe tornado outbreak led to the deaths of several people, caused thousands of power outages, and an estimated damage worth $1.3 billion, FOX Weather reported.

March 2022 Tornadoes

In March 2022, over 200 tornadoes touched down the US, and this higher figure reflects an improved storm detection technology.

This is according to The Washington Post, which reported that at least 210 confirmed tornadoes were recorded 12 months ago, making 2022 of gaining the title of producing the most March twisters on US recorded history.

The March 2022 record even surpassed a previous record of 192 tornadoes in March 2017, The Washington Post says.

Deadliest US Tornadoes

Over the past 200 years, there are a number of notable tornado events across the country, in terms of impact and intensity. However, there are some which are considered by meteorologists as standing out among the rest.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has listed some of the following deadliest US tornadoes in recorded history, along with their locations and number of fatalities:

• March 1925 tornadoes in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana with 695 deaths.
• May 1840 tornado in Natchez, Mississippi, with 317 deaths.
• May 1986 tornado in St. Louis, Missouri, with 255 deaths.

Tornadoes are natural forces to be reckoned with and cause an average fatality rate of 60 to 65 people and 1,500 injuries each year, according to The National Weather Service (NWS).