VorTek LLC, a small research and engineering company in Huntsville, Alabama, developed software that assessed tornado threats from analyzed National Weather Service data from 1950 through 2007.
A map of the most tornado-prone spots for 26 states of interest was developed using the Site Assessment of Tornado Threat (SATT) software,
26 TORNADO PRONE SPOTS
Colorado (LINK ERROR) 4.92 MILES EAST OF HALE
New Mexico (LINK ERROR) 5.13 MILES SOUTHEAST OF CAUSEY
South Carolina (LINK ERROR) OCONEE COUNTY
A FEW SELECT TORNADO PRONE AREAS VERIFIED ........2009.
In Mississippi, the tornado prone area is located in Smith County, MS, but also includes parts of Simpson, Rankin, and Jasper Counties. (Counties near the point)
This area has seen several tornadoes already this year, including an EF 3 tornado that tore a 16 mile path across Simpson County, trending down to a EF 1 tornado as it traveled an additional 1.5 miles into Smith County injuring over 25 people.
Smith County experienced the first tornado of 2009 in Mississippi and has since seen 2 additional tornadoes.
In Alabama, the tornado prone area is located in Madison County, but also includes parts of Jackson, Morgan, and Marshall Counties. (Counties near the point)
A EF 0 tornado was confirmed in Madison County April 2nd.
Other areas near the tornado prone area have experienced several tornadoes thus far this year, including a 1/2 mile wide, 28 mile long track tornado, that tore across Marshall, Jackson, and DeKalb Counties on April 10, 2009.
In Louisiana, the tornado prone area is located in Caddo Parrish, but also includes parts of Bossier Parish. (Parishes near the point)
This area has experienced a tornado thus far this year.
For more information: 20 most tornado prone states in April
20 most tornado prone cities in April
Comments
I see that you have left out Charles County MD. F5 a few years ago, 2 F0's last year (one up the street from my location) and several F1-F3's (higher than 10) the year prior. They take a lineup from SSW and typically move NNE.
Unfortunately, this report is not accurate. VorTek has been questioned over the past 15 years for having suspect results resulting from shotty research. In a nutshell, data sources from past tornadoes have been proven inaccurate and incomplete. Just take a look at the tornado database for Alabama alone: www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/aware/swaw_2009/pdfs/Pg18_Tornado_by_County.pdf
Does Jefferson county really have the 2nd most tornadoes (making it tornado prone)? or is it because it is in one of the most populated areas? Stats are very easily skewed.
I have been looking into this further, because it would seem other areas would be more prone than those indicated for certain states.......
1. It is based on historical data ---data as far back as 1950, of which could be incomplete or not as accurate-
2. Also, I was thinking about a Tuscaloosa, Alabama or Brandon, MS as a few areas that I would think would be tornado prone due to the numerous tornadoes confirmed over the past few years.
But repeated tornadoes over the past few years does not automatically make an area tornado prone when combined with data as far back as 1950.
3. This data is not focusing on a county or city, but on a certain spot in the indicated states that may be more prone to tornadoes within 20 miles surrounding that spot.
4. Total land area disturbed by these tornadoes is divided by the land area within the 20-mile circle
5. The results are then multipled using a mathematical equation
So based on their calculations on each area in the 26 states highlighted in the report, hence the 'tornado prone spots'
Note: Any reports or analyses based on information as far back as 1950 will likely be skewed slightly due to some inaccurate or incomplete data
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