2019 May Be The Most Active Tornado Season Colorado Has Had In Years

As we recently discussed, Colorado is part of the infamous tornado alley, which is a section of the United States that is more prone to severe weather and tornado outbreaks. Unfortunately, Colorado has already experienced a few of these often damaging storms, meaning severe weather season has begun and may be one of the most active we have seen in years.

While tornado season does not usually begin until late April, Colorado’s started a month early, with one touching down in Weld County on March 22nd and another hitting El Paso County on March 29th.

Getty Images/ Jason Persoff Stormdoctor The March 22nd storm was the first March tornado Colorado has seen in 12 years.

According to AccuWeather, the US should expect an upward of 1,075 tornadoes in 2019, citing “warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures over the Gulf of Mexico will lead to increased moisture transport from the Gulf over the region and ultimately a higher frequency of severe weather in these areas.”

Getty Images/ john finney photography

The Tornado Alley states predicted to see the most storms are Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas, but – according to their maps – Eastern Colorado will receive some of these severe storms as well.

Getty Images/ Willoughby Owen

Should we worry? According to the Washington Post, no, as it is hard to predict severe storms until a few days before.

Getty Images/john finney photography According to the article, AccuWeather is “simply being very unscientific,” citing “It misleads the public into thinking we know more than we do so far in advance.”

On average, Colorado sees an upward of 52 tornadoes a year, making it the 10th most active state in the country.

Getty Images/milehightraveler Pictured is some of the aftermath from the devastating 2008 Windsor tornado.

What causes tornadoes? Most form from thunderstorms, which mesh with warm updrafts and cool downdrafts, resulting in these strong rotations.

Getty Images/Willoughby Owen

Will Colorado see more than 52 tornadoes this year (especially since we began seeing these storms in March)? Only time will tell, but always stay aware of weather conditions and have a safe place to go in the event that AccuWeather’s predictions are correct.

Getty Images/CatLane

To learn even more about severe weather in Colorado, click on The History Of Tornadoes In Colorado Will Shock You.

Getty Images/ Jason Persoff Stormdoctor

The March 22nd storm was the first March tornado Colorado has seen in 12 years.

Getty Images/ john finney photography

Getty Images/ Willoughby Owen

Getty Images/john finney photography

According to the article, AccuWeather is “simply being very unscientific,” citing “It misleads the public into thinking we know more than we do so far in advance.”

Getty Images/milehightraveler

Pictured is some of the aftermath from the devastating 2008 Windsor tornado.

Getty Images/Willoughby Owen

Getty Images/CatLane

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.