The state of Texas is known for their tornadoes. In fact, their tornadoes are most prevalent compared to other states in the Tornado Alley. With approximately 137 of these catastrophes a year, one would think Texans are used to visible destruction in their hometowns. However, tornadoes continue to leave families in despair, with wrecked homes and lives lost. 

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, the Houston area faced extreme thunderstorms, causing winds as high as 78 mph in Highlands, Texas. Tornadoes made their common appearance, leaving around one million people without electricity. Unfortunately, four people have been recorded as deceased due to the natural disaster. Three deaths were due to falling trees, and the other was the result of a falling crane. 

The storms surely did not stay in place, but rather made their way to New Orleans, Louisiana, leaving another 200,000 citizens without power. 

What causes such an abundance of tornadoes in the South? All across the nation, various states commonly see tornadoes in the springtime and summertime. Dry, cool air approaches humid, warm air, resulting in these true disasters. Texas is unique. Due to its close proximity to the moisture of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas has the ability to have tornadoes all year round. 

Through extensive research, it has been found that climate change causes water vapor to be more present in the atmosphere. With increased vapor, comes destructive, strong storms. An additional outcome of climate change is the increased warmth of bodies of water and environmental temperatures. These conditions result in fast wind speeds within a tropical storm. Surprisingly, not much research proves climate change impacts tornado frequencies. 

A common disagreement regarding tornadoes is that they are more apparent now than ever before. Some say that with technological advances, tornadoes are being recorded more frequently now than in the past. Others claim that tornadoes have been on an increasing scale, with a direct link to climate change. While there is no clear evidence to support either claim fully, only time will tell with further research if increasing rates of these disasters is related to the transformation of the world’s climate.