Hurricane Helene is approaching the U.S. mainland, with at least 25 million people under a tornado watch. Tornadoes are a significant danger during hurricanes, as they can occur more than 1,000 miles away from the storm’s path. The Storm Prediction Center has been warning about the increased risk of tornadoes as Helene moves inland. Tornado watches have been issued in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, with tips provided on how to differentiate between a tornado watch and warning.
Hurricanes can produce tornadoes for days after making landfall, as seen with Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Beryl in 2018. The size of the hurricane plays a role in tornado production, with larger storms having more favorable conditions for tornadoes to form. Data on tornadoes has been collected since 1995, with hurricanes and tropical storms spawning over 1,700 tornadoes since then.
Hurricane Beryl set a record for tornado warnings in a single day, even reaching areas over 1,300 miles away from where it made landfall. It’s crucial for people in the path of a hurricane to remain vigilant even well inland, as tornadoes can still pose a threat. The size of Helene, with a mean diameter of over 440 miles, may increase the likelihood of tornado production as it approaches the coast. Learning from past tornado data can help forecasters better predict tornado risk during hurricanes and tropical storms.
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