Weather extremes in the USA: record storms expected – warning of further tornadoes

After the tornado catastrophe in Kentucky, the USA is expecting further weather extremes. Numerous states are preparing for tornadoes and storms.

Mayfield – The next extreme weather conditions are looming in the USA *. Just a few days after the tornado catastrophe with numerous deaths in the US state of Kentucky *, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns of further storms. There is talk of an “extremely strong” and “possibly record-breaking” storm system over the central and northern part of the country. According to the NWS, there was a threat of “dangerously strong winds”, snow, thunderstorms and tornadoes. As a result, the risk of fire is also increased.

The storm system now hitting the US could bring winds at speeds in excess of 160 kilometers per hour. The weather is particularly extreme in the states of Iowa and Minnesota. “One or two strong tornadoes” should be expected there. People in the affected areas were told to go to safety. As early as Wednesday evening, according to the website poweroutage.us, 400,000 households were already without electricity, mainly in the states of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa.

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Weather extremes in the USA: High temperatures make tornadoes more likely

According to the Axios website, the storms that are now sweeping across the United States bring with them unusually high temperatures for December – in some places the highest ever recorded at the time. This in turn would increase the risk of new tornadoes, even in areas where none are actually expected at this time of the year. In addition, the risk of forest fires is significantly increased due to the warm weather.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden * visited the state of Kentucky, which had suffered particularly from the tornado damage. Among other things, Biden traveled to the completely devastated town of Mayfield. There he spoke to residents whose houses were only ruins. “We will not go away,” said the President. “The government will participate until everything is rebuilt here.” He also appealed to the cohesion of the people regardless of the political tensions in the country: “There are no red tornadoes and no blue tornadoes,” said the 79-year-old with a view to the Party colors of the opposition Republicans * and his Democrats *.

USA: Climate change causes extreme weather conditions and tornadoes

Dozens of tornadoes wreaked havoc on Saturday night in Kentucky and other states in the southern and central US. In Kentucky alone, 74 fatalities have been confirmed so far, and there have been 14 more deaths in other regions. The number of victims could increase because many people are still missing.

Man-made climate change * has recently resulted in ever higher average temperatures and extreme weather conditions in the USA. This increases the risk of heat waves, which in turn favor such weather extremes. According to experts, the mild temperatures of the water in the Gulf of Mexico also play a major role in the formation of tornadoes. In the future one must expect more such storms. (dil / afp) * fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA

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