Might Global Warming be the cause of more tornadoes?

Answer 1

*If you don't want an explanation skip to end of this paragraph. Basically global warming is considered an overall warming trend in the mean average global temperature. Tornadoes are caused by the interaction of dry cool air in the mid levels, and warm moist air in the low levels, causing a very unstable situation. This unstable atmosphere allows for long lived and very large severe thunderstorm complexes. The larger and more violent the thunderstorm complex the greater the chance is for the occurrence of tornadoes. Now you would think that warming temperatures would cause a greater occurrence of severe weather due to a warmer moister layer in the low levels but the dynamics of it is dependent on the temperature/density gradient between the mid levels and the low levels, a warming atmosphere tends to warm the mid levels just as much as the low levels so your temperature gradient stays the same but warm air holds more moisture so your density gradient decreases. This increases the chance of thunderstorms, but decreases your chance of severe thunderstorms. *A warming atmosphere reduces the chance of tornadoes.

This simplifies the scenario somewhat. Global warming will have different impacts in different parts of the world. The result is that some areas may see a decrease in tornado activity while others see an increase. There is some evidence, for example, that the area of peak tornado activity in the United States is slowly shifting northward.

Answer 2

Most likely not. While tornadoes can destroy vegetation that could otherwise reduce global warming, this effect is likely negligible. It is more likely that global warming would affect tornado activity than the other way around.

Answer 3

Overall, there does not seem to be any increase in tornado activity. In fact there is evidence that tornado activity in the recent years is actually lower than it was 40 to 60 years ago.

A:Extra heat in the atmosphere is a form of energy, and energy drives tornadoes. Scientists predict that global warming will cause more frequent and more severe "weather events". Climate, however, takes time to change so it is unclear yet what is happening.

Answer 4

Currently it is uncertain how climate change is affecting tornadoes. Some evidence suggests that where tornadoes occur the most may be shifting north.
Currently it is uncertain how climate change is affecting tornadoes. Some evidence suggests that where tornadoes occur the most may be shifting north.

Answer 5

Some scientists believe that global warming will make air warmer and moister overall, which would mean more fuel for the strong thunderstorms that produce tornadoes. However, the mechanism behind tornadoes are complex and poorly understood. So the effects that global warming would have on tornadoes is not certain.

Answer 6

It is uncertain at this point as accurate tornado records do not go back far enough.

Answer 7

Currently the effect of climate change on tornadoes is not entirely known, though there is some evidence that the most intense activity in Tornado Alley has shifted northward.