MN Expert: Why The Southern Tornadoes Were So Deadly
By Steve Murphy, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Why was the death toll in the southern tornadoes so high?
Todd Krause, a tornado warning specialist with the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, said the tragic twisters were not unexpected.
"It's something that had been 'advertised' for days, really," said Krause. "It was off the charts in terms of the things we look at for severe weather."
Krause said those things included wind shear at low elevation, a strong jet stream and very humid and hot conditions.
Krause also noted that the tornadoes tore through several urban areas, causing a death toll of around 300 in six states.
Minnesota led the nation in tornadoes last year, and Krause said the twister season will arrive.
"We will get summer at some point and then when that happens we'll be getting our tornadoes and severe storms," he said.
Minnesota experienced 113 tornadoes in 2010, including 48 on June 17 alone.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Steve Murphy Reports
