Record-breaking Tornado Season 2023: 478 Reports and Counting.

A warmer-than-usual winter across the South has fueled one of the busiest recorded starts to the tornado season, with at least 478 tornado reports across 25 states as of Wednesday. Warmer winters create atmospheric instability in early spring, a key ingredient for severe storms, including those that spin up tornadoes. Supercell storms, which can produce violent tornadoes, are projected to hit Southern states more frequently in the future due to climate change. The South is more densely populated than other parts of the country where tornadoes often strike, making it more vulnerable. On average, 54% of tornado-related fatalities are in mobile homes, and people who seek shelter in mobile homes are also 15 to 20 times more likely to be killed compared to those who take refuge in permanent homes.