Deadly tornado cluster in the USA

I have a subscription to the New York Times. This provides me with an alternative perspective on the news, and also opens up additional detail on stories which are of particular interest in the USA.

Over the weekend - on the 10th of December, there were a number of tornadoes developed and which tracked across states including Kentucky, which was particularly badly affected, including the town of Mayfield. 

At least 70 people are thought to have died.

Six states were affected with one tornadic supercell crossing four states. There are some astonishing images of the devastation in numerous NYT articles. My thoughts are with the communities affected, which face a mammoth rebuilding effort.

Map created by Jack Sillin

Video from NYT

Tornados are measured on the Fujita Scale. This was at the top end of the scale. The climate emergency may well make this sort of event more likely. Here are a few thoughts on that connection:

F5 tornado 🌪 in December!

Tracking across four states and was on the ground for a record breaking 250 miles.

Why? Because extreme warmth in southern USA hit the winter cold front. Major question was the extreme warmth due to #ClimateChange and therefore all these tornadoes 🌪 https://t.co/xfwssF1MTq

— Professor Mark Maslin 💙 (@ProfMarkMaslin) December 11, 2021

Lots of people are asking if climate change plays into tornadoes. The evidence is growing. CC likely doesn’t change the overall # in general, but on outbreak days, it does make the environment more conducive for development. This brand new research supports that understanding… https://t.co/9XHYUVHfuy

— Jeff Berardelli (@WeatherProf) December 12, 2021

Mayfield was not the only place to be devastated.

Dawson Springs, Ky is 70 miles away from #Mayfield and was also devastated by the #Tornado #WX pic.twitter.com/kBwBxcxURi

— WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) December 11, 2021