So You Wanna Know About Oklahoma's Love Affair with Twisters? Let's Dive In...
Ah, Oklahoma. Land of the Sooners, fried onion burgers, and... oh yeah, tornadoes. Lots and lots of tornadoes. If you're thinking about moving to this central state masterpiece, or just curious about the weather roulette it plays every spring, then this post is your one-stop shop for tornado trivia (minus the flying cows, we can't guarantee those).
How Many Tornadoes Does Oklahoma Get A Year |
How Many Twisters Are We Talking About Here? Buckle Up!
Here's the thing: Oklahoma isn't shy about its twisters. On average, this state sees around 56 tornadoes a year. That's like a weekly tornado surprise party... except way less fun and way more likely to involve flying debris.
Hold on, 56?! Yep, you read that right. Oklahoma holds the dubious honor of being one of the most tornado-prone states in the US. In fact, they even have a nickname for it: Tornado Alley. Catchy, right?
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Not All Tornadoes Are Created Equal (Thank Goodness)
Now, before you pack your bags and head for the hills (literally, some places in Oklahoma have storm shelters built into hills!), let's talk about the good news. Not all tornadoes are raging monsters out to steal your house. The Fujita (pronounced "foo-jee-tah") scale ranks tornadoes by wind speed and damage, and most tornadoes in Oklahoma fall on the lower end of the scale. Phew!
When to Expect the Whirling Dervishes (and How to Prepare)
Tornado season in Oklahoma typically runs from March to June, with May being the peak month. So, if you're visiting during that time, keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to take cover if a tornado warning is issued. Don't worry, most Oklahomans are tornado pros and will be happy to point you in the direction of a shelter.
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Here are some quick tips for tornado preparedness:
- Know where your nearest storm shelter is. Many public buildings and some homes have them.
- Have a tornado safety plan for your home or workplace. This should include a designated shelter area, a battery-powered radio, and a plan for communicating with family members.
- Stay informed! Sign up for local weather alerts and pay attention to tornado warnings.
Frequently Asked Tornado Questions (Because We Know You Have Them)
How to spot a tornado? Look for a rotating funnel cloud descending from a thunderstorm.
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How to chase a tornado? Don't! Chasing tornadoes is extremely dangerous and should be left to the professionals.
How to survive a tornado? If you're caught in a tornado, find a sturdy shelter immediately, lie flat on the ground, and cover your head with your hands.
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How to avoid tornadoes altogether? Move to Hawaii. Just kidding (sort of). Tornadoes can happen anywhere in the US, but they're more common in certain areas, like Oklahoma.
How to make friends with a tornado? We highly recommend against this. Tornadoes are not social creatures and their idea of a good time probably involves ripping roofs off houses.
So there you have it! A whirlwind (pun intended) tour of Oklahoma's tornadoes. Remember, knowledge is power, and a little preparation can go a long way when it comes to staying safe during tornado season. Now, go forth and conquer Oklahoma, just be sure to keep an eye on the sky!