Expertise in weather-related travel risks is more crucial than ever. The traditional Tornado Alley, for example, is transforming significantly, with severe storm patterns shifting eastward. This trend, expected to continue through 2025 and beyond, expands the high-risk areas for tornadoes beyond the Great Plains states into the southeastern United States.
“We’ve noticed over time the precipitation line shifting east… so the western Great Plains, western Kansas, western Nebraska and western Oklahoma are running a bit drier,” said Joe Strus, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in a 2024 report. “We’ve also seen a higher frequency of tornadoes.”
As spring approaches, bringing the peak of severe weather season, it’s essential to note that forecasts for 2025 indicate increased tornado activity in an expanded region dubbed “Dixie Alley,” stretching from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee to Kentucky.
Tornado Twist
Recent climate research in the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology has revealed another troubling trend: Tornadoes are becoming less frequent during summer months and more common in colder periods (the “traditional” season runs from June 1 – Dec. 1). This was evident in the past winter, with tornado events reported across several states from late December through early March.
The impact of this shift is already evident. This winter alone saw tornado activity in various states: two in Texas and Mississippi (Dec. 29), two in eastern Tennessee (Feb. 7), and significant damage in North Carolina (March 5). The National Weather Service attributes this geographical redistribution of tornado risk partly to changing climate patterns.
Understanding tornado formation and safety measures is crucial for travel advisors planning client trips to these regions. Severe weather typically develops when cold Canadian air collides with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, creating ideal conditions for life-threatening thunderstorms across the central and eastern United States.
When working with clients traveling to regions with increased tornado risk, ensure they are aware of the importance of staying informed about local weather patterns and warnings. Familiarize yourself with emergency procedures at booked accommodations and advise clients on identifying safe shelter locations, preferably in interior rooms on the lowest floors of buildings.
It’s crucial to remind clients that unlike the predictable hurricane season where you have plenty of time to prepare, tornadoes can form rapidly with minimal warning. Share with them their travel destinations’ weather risks and preparedness strategies.
“If you’re in an area where severe weather is something you’ve experienced before, it can and it will happen again,” Strus added in the report.
For more information, visit weather.gov.
Reports from the Associated Press contributed to this story.
