Geography and tornadoes
Geography and tornadoes
Have you ever wondered how "Tornado Alley” got its name, or how geography impacts tornadoes in the first place? Dr. Jana Houser, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Geography, tells us why this part of the U.S. is so prone to tornadoes.
When talking about tornado conditions, the United States is unlike anywhere else — our unique geography puts “Tornado Alley” in a geographical “sweet spot” that makes it the most tornado-prone location in the world.
Dr. Jana Houser, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Geography, talk us through the airflow and geographical features of the Central U.S. Plains that make it unlike any other location in the world — and create an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year.