The Danger of Nighttime Tornadoes

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

The worst types of tornadoes come out after dark.

Tornadoes are one of the most unpredictable types of storms.  Their intensity and strength often expand without warning, making them dangerous at any time of day.  But an entirely new level of danger is involved when a tornado quickly forms and strikes at night, especially in the overnight hours.  Tornadoes that strike between 9 pm to 6 am CST are known as Nocturnal Tornadoes.  These tornadoes are more than twice as likely to be deadly. 

There are many reasons that nocturnal tornadoes are much more dangerous than those that occur in the daytime.  The most obvious reason is that it is next to impossible to see a tornado at night.  Later hours mean that fewer storm spotters are on the road, which makes it more difficult for meteorologists to confirm that a tornado has touched the ground.  More people are likely asleep during the overnight hours, leaving them unaware that a tornado is in their area.  Tornado sirens usually go off during a storm, but the siren could be missed depending on how far away someone lives from the siren range.  A sound sleeper may not wake up at all, which could be dangerous if they live in a structure like a mobile home, which cannot withstand high tornadic winds.

Unfortunately, nocturnal tornadoes have a higher chance of happening in the South.  The states with the highest percentage of tornadoes that strike at night are Tennessee (46%), Arkansas (43%), Kentucky (42%), and Mississippi (39%). 

The South is vulnerable to nighttime tornadoes for several reasons.  Southern states typically have mild winters, which means a tornado can strike at any time of the year, which can be dangerous because once the time changes in the fall, it gets dark much earlier.  Southern states also have a much higher instance of residents living in mobile homes.  These overlapping factors combine to form a very real threat to those who call the South home.  Luckily there are some tools to assist with tornado alerts, many of them are available on your mobile phone.   The National Weather Service sends wireless emergency alerts, as do many weather apps available for both iPhone and Android.  It is always recommended to purchase an NOAA weather radio, which alerts with a loud tone, followed by the details of the warning.  This might be enough to startle a heavy sleeper awake and give them enough time to get to safety. 

Tornadoes are unpredictable and potentially devastating.  Should your home suffer a loss from a tornado, SERVPRO of Saline County and SERVPRO of Hot Springs are always here to help.  Give us a call at 501-776-2222 to discuss your needs, 24/7.  We'll make it "Like it never even happened."