The year 2012 is breaking all-time records for least tornado activity, defying extreme-weather predictions by global warming alarmists.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only 12 tornadoes touched down in the United States during July 2012, shattering the previous July record low of 42 tornadoes, recorded in 1960.
And because radar technology in 1960 could not detect many of the smaller tornadoes that are detectable today, scientists believe the actual number of tornadoes that occurred in that previous record-low July was actually about 73. According to that estimate, six times more tornadoes occurred in July 1960, the previous record-low year, than in July 2012.
Less than 300 tornadoes touched down in this year’s peak tornado season, which runs from mid-April through late July. Approximately 850 tornadoes touch down during the peak season in an average year. That means three times more tornadoes occur during an average peak-tornado season than occurred in 2012.
Alarmist Claims Proven Wrong
After some tornadoes touched down in March of this year, Brad Johnson of the activist group Center for American Progress wrote an article tying the tornadoes to global warming. “In the face of this warning, we must ask if our current path of increased pollution and decreased investment in public safety is the wisest course,” wrote Johnson.
Similarly, CNN meteorologist Alexandra Steele told viewers in April of this year global warming was responsible for tornadoes that touched down in the Dallas area that month.
However, long-term records show tornadoes are becoming less frequent and less severe as the planet modestly warms.
“Destructive tornadoes have been declining in frequency and severity for the past several decades,” said meteorologist Joe D’Aleo. “The 2012 tornado season continues this long-term trend.”
James M. Taylor ([email protected]) is managing editor of Environment & Climate News.
