Here’s What 56 Years of Tornado Tracks Across the U.S. Looks Like on One Map
- Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:16am by
Liz Klimas
- Print »
- Email »
John Nelson has used 56 years of data gathered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on tornadoes across the United States to create this spectacular image.
(Image: John Nelson)
Using information from data.gov, Nelson categorizes the storms by the F-scale with the brighter neon lines representing more violent storms.
In the comments, some have mentioned they are surprised the paths of the tornadoes appear in straight lines. Nelson explains, based on the data, the vectors could be created using touchdown points and liftoff points. Another commenter — OKWeatherGirl — shares this information:
In response to the comment about the tornado paths all being linear the tornado lengths are correct. The data file that was used connects a straight line between the lat/long of the starting point to the lat/long of the ending point. Those are historically the only points that were stored for every known tornado. It was not until recent years that the usefulness and practicality of storing an approximate path was discovered. Remote sensing is also used to more accurately locate exact tornado paths in addition to the damage survey information and all of this data is easier to store and manage now using GIS(geographic information systems)than has been in the past.
This map was created using a raw or unprojected shapfile which definitely increases the error in path location, but the error with this data set is already pretty high.
Yet another commenter points out when you zoom in closer the lines are less linear than they appear suggesting they could be accurate.
Still, as GeekOWire says, it may not be the most scientific of maps, but “it’s still a startling look these enormous storms.”
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 694 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 501 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 354 Comments
‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 337 Comments
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 325 Comments
Faith
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 325 Comments
Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 337 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 249 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 148 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 302 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 325 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (85)
avgconservative
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 4:34pm@AUsername So, where do you get your knowledge about flat parts of the country getting tornadoes? Flat has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with it! It is where warm, moist air converges with dry, cool air. That just happens to be a unique Gulf of Mexico phenomenon event happening over and over again. The Gulf of Mexico is the greatest weather maker for all the United States… Flat land? Better try again. Look at the frequency in the Ozark Mountains. The factor is not whether or not it is flat. Joplin, Missouri is not flat country. My, my, my…
Report Post »Jase
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:16pmWell if that is true then it is quite a coincidence that there are none in the Rockies and only at the lowest points in the Appallachians. The Ozarks can hardly be considered mountains as the highest point is about 2700 ft. Sorry but Joplin is flat, hills and mountains are very different. I live in Colorado and we occasionally get tornadoes on the plains, but never in the mountains.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:56pmHey! I can see my house from here!
Report Post »yimmygiggle
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:15pmDude,
I’ve lived in Pittsburgh, PA, Seattle, WA, and for the last 2 years in Joplin, MO. I was here when the F-5 went through (about 9 blocks from my apt.). The truth is that Joplin is extremely FLAT (there‘s not even a hint of a hill in the storm’s path — look at the pics), but your point is still true. Hills don’t deter tornadoes. A few years ago, Pittsburgh, arguably the ‘hilliest’ city in the country behind San Fran, had a tornado tear through one of the highest points over looking the city — Mt. Washington.
Report Post »ncsuweatherman
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:03pmThe formation of a significant number of tornadoes does happen partly due to the warm, moist air colliding with cooler air. Any severe weather can only form with three parts: instability, moisture, and a lifting mechanism of the unstable air. However, in this case of where tornadoes most often are found, it is downstream of north-south running mountain chains (Rockies & Appalachians). As air rises on the windward side of a mountain it has to compress and expand horizontally, and once it drops down the leeward side it can stretch vertically, leading to a spin up of air (increasing vorticity). So the main reason for the location of these tornadoes is their location in respect to these mountain chains, and the warm, moist air just adds to the effect. Think of the Himalayan Mountains-they run east to west, and tornadoes are seen around them not as often. What is there is due to the dry air coming down from the north and mixing with the moist air from the south.
Report Post »hugecatfish
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:18pmYep. There is a simple reason people think this. Go to The plains and you have flat land, few trees, straighter roads and you can chase and film the storms much easier. This is where a vast amount of twister footage is taken. Mississippi actually has a higher tornado density, but you can’t see the darn things for the trees and twisty roads. Most chasers don’t waste their time in MS. and AL for that reason.
Report Post »Inlightofthings
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:02pmNCSUWMAN:
Report Post »Thanks. I thought Mother Nature was just mad at some of the kids in the midwest….
PaxInVeritate
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:58pmOkay… so overlap the tornado, fire and earthquake maps and that’s the place to be to get hit by a meteor or meteorite?
Report Post »PaxInVeritate
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 4:06pmShoot! Forgot about to include the hurricane map.
Report Post »blair152
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:49pmWow!
Report Post »AUsername
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:32pmThe worst tornadoes are in flat areas which is why Texas Oklahoma and Kansas get the worst ones while many on the easy coats only get like f1 and f2.
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:32pmRacist
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:03pmString Theory!
Report Post »Pokerjoe
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:55amWeather folks love this kind of stuff. When its cloudy here in Oklahoma those guys get all fired up. Its fun to watch them……Im glad their doing a great job.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:39amI’m waiting for a map of political corruption. Whole map would be bright blue.
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:55pmYep blue is the color of corruption. Get used to it .
Report Post »airportengineer
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:02pmIt’s already out, It’s called the “State of Illinois”
Report Post »HopefulReadyMom
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:27amI wonder what a map of wildfires would look like.
Report Post »Too_Far_Gone
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:42amYellow and orange
Report Post »BaconSlinger
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 2:51pmYellow and orange…now that’s funny.
Report Post »Halloween
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:20pmlol !!!
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:21pmHere you go, no more wondering. BTW it’s yellow!
Report Post »http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/wildfire_threat.html
hotrod jim
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:08amAs I traced the path of the Nebraska ones it said Ben Nelson is Satan. The next tornado said Warren Buffet is a Boob. Yes! the tornadoes are speaking to us.
Report Post »NOTYERHUCKLEBERRY
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:05pmDon’t forget that the bees know!
Report Post »liberalescheisskopf
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:55pmThat’s HasBen Nelson………..and it‘s just a coincidence that Keystone Pipeline was cancelled and Warren ’Boob” Buffet owns railroads…….heh, heh
Report Post »Oraclevoiceofreason
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:39amfacinating
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:11amI did not realize we have had global warming for this long.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:54amWE DON’T! GLOBAL WARMING IS A MONEY MAKING SCARE TACTIC DEVISED TO LEVERAGE HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM GOVERNMENTS AND CORPORATIONS TO ENRICH THE SO CALLED “RESEARCHERS”.
There were tornados long before this kind of data was available. The country was less populous and there were not as many records kept in past ages. Modern technology avails us the opportunity to track and determinine the destructive power these storms have. This phenomena has been around since creation and will continus on. We will just keep better recrds.
Report Post »ComradeAdam
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:11pmIn case you didn’t catch it, Rangerp was being sarcastic.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:11pmPete, thanks for all the advice and tips, LOL, you are the “rock” of shootists the Blaze.
I have fond memories of the M14 and .45 ACP and riot gun from my watch standing days (did not have the pleasure of serving under LBJ as you once mentioned, I was Nixon/Ford/Carter/Reagan, LOL). Maybe I should pick up the habit again after my nest is finally empty in 5 years.
Hope you have fun, I know from personal “training” experience in addition to the months of practicing and conditioning and mental preparations, it takes the support and sacrifice of the whole family and your co-workers to create a champion performance. If you have ever finished well before, I hope you have a personal best. Do well, Rock On!
Hope the wind coming off the lake does not affect the .22 at 600 yards, beyond your calculations.
a POW-MIA never has a nice day
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:08pmMoncine
Thanks much, perhaps I will see you on the line one day.
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:41pmRock!
Hope you do not need to drive all the way from Fort Benning! When I go to an event by myself without staying over, the farthest I prefer to handle is 200 miles one way. It’s worse when there are others in the car, too.
When you visit military installations do you get to shoot the classic combat arms (not just the M-16?) – because being in the Army provides you unreal access to some cool armories! I always wanted to fire the M60 but never got the chance. But I did clean, assemble and fire a Navy Thompson with a drum magazine!
TEA
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 7:45pmMoncine
I am no longer at Benning, but it is a long drive to Perry.
If you want to shoot the old military rifles, then you have to get them on the civilian market. the military does not keep them in our arms rooms. You can purchase the 1903 springfield and the M1 Garand from CMP. Springfield Armory makes a civilian version of the M14, called the M1a. It is a great rifle, but is not as good a comp gun as the new ARs (my opinion). there are still some M14s in the Army, but folks aint real good at working on them anymore.
I was a M60 Machinge Gunner in my enlisted days. They were a booger to keep running. They were made of mostly stamped parts, and had many problems with malfunctions. if you kept the gas system clean, it would fire ok, but it is not as good a MG as the new M240 B.
Report Post »RodT82721
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:45amThe big question now is how much of an increase in your income taxes will it take to change this map? Anyone?
Report Post »hotrod jim
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:18amThe government will be needing one billion per white person for Warren Buffet, the Nebraska Flash as he is better than the common folks.
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:36amFantastic display of available data.
Report Post »Possum45
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:54amBla, bla, bla!!!
Where is the coverage of buildiberg in Chantily, VA???
Is Alex Jones, at Infowars.com the only news source covering this international event with huge ramifications to America????
Come on, Glen,
Report Post »Let’s get it together!!!
rot_soldier
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:23amYeah, Alex is the only one that will cover it because everyone else is too scared, even the Blaze or Brietbart.com. They are afraid of being labeled a nutcase even though it’s an obvious FACT that this is taking place. All the pundits will bury their heads in the sand on this one. I guess that’s why Alex is #1 on online REAL news.
Report Post »OhSuzieQ
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:27amWell some one has to be first. Alex show your stuff. ;-)
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:38am@POSSUM45…..It really bothers me, that right at this moment, there are a group of evil global elitist’s meeting in Chantilly, VA, who’s decisions will effect basically every single person on this planet in one way or another, and Glenn Beck / The Blaze seems to be ignoring it, just like the corrupt mainstream media. Alex Jones, Drudge Report and all the other alternative media outlets are to be commended for their decision to expose the evil masters of the “New World Order”……..where are you Glenn!!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:16amEver since Glenn left Fox he has been different. Maybe he doesnt like being called crazy anymore. Now Alex Jones and Ron Paul are the only crazy ones. I am sure there is a lot more money on the non crazy side to be made.
Report Post »applehill
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:53amWest Virginia seems like a safe place to live away from tornadoes.
Report Post »danyelle55
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:52amHey! My husband made that!! Kinda fun to wake up to on a Thursday morning!!! :D
Report Post »Anonymouse.
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:43amInteresting how the tornados are most numerous over the Bible Belt and midwest where most of the Evangelicals and Fundies live. Some would say god is angry at his faithful believers.
Report Post »boomboom
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:53amThat’s Right!
Report Post »There were Never ever tornadoes in that area before those crazies moved in!
cyntro
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:53amOr it takes the strength given to those being faithful to God to withstand what mother nature dishes out.
Report Post »chucksue351
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:20amthe rain rains on the just and the un just alike!!
Report Post »BaltimoreJoe
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:32amPretty much a function of the topography of the U.S. with NS ranges and a vast plain where sinking cool air from Canada runs perpendicular to the average jet stream. Their must be a wingnut or jackson-rod awaiting install somewhere, get to work.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:15amMoron Mouse
Yep, only bad stuff happens to those wacky Christians. It is just all rainbows and butterflies out there in California where all the sodomites live. They never have any wild fires, mud slides, earth quakes, Rodney king riots, gang wars,……
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:42amMoron Mouse
Glen can not be doing to bad, you are still hanging around.
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:44amMoron Mouse
Typical lib, you got your jaws slapped with some facts, and you try to turn the topic.
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:57amYo Mouse:
you say something stupid,
Report Post »people respond to it,
you say something stupid, again!
and you find this …what?
housetops
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 11:44amGathering replies to meaningless comments like trinkets on a virtual shelf? Sure, I’ll throw you a bone.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:40pm@Anonymouse.
I’m not going to apologize for removing your tasteless Glenn Beck video….. again.
I will remove it every time I see it posted. : )
Report Post »1977
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:48pmBoy,you are dumb!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 2:42pm@Anonymouse.
There…. all cleaned up now including all the links at;
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/atheist-lobbyists-launch-massive-effort-to-organize-in-states-across-america/?corder=desc#comments
ALL your LINKS are BELONG TO US : )
Report Post »rangerp
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:10pmlooks like mouse turd got smacked down
Report Post »wdittgasn
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:19pmThe devil can make tornados too….. Just ask Job!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 6:38pm@rangerp
“looks like mouse turd got smacked down”
Up, down and all around…. yesterday, today and tomorrow. : )
Report Post »proliance
Posted on June 1, 2012 at 5:07pmWhen you accept Christ as your savior expect things to get more difficult, not easier. For those who haven’t read the Bible (like Anonymouse) Jesus said “take up my cross” not “here’s a lounge chair and a big screen TV.”
Report Post »D-Fence
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:43amAs with most technology in the beginning it will be less accurate, then through time our technology, and techniques, will improve.
Report Post »lawrench
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:35amNotice that there has been recorded tornado’s in California, Oregon, and Washington? So when it happens again in those states, do not let the government tell you it happened because of Global Warming.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:34amNow watch for the traitors of the EPA deem this as ‘more proof of global warming.’
Report Post »ONLY4UANDME
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:32amI’d like to see the entire globe mapped out like this.
Report Post »9111315
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 9:27amMost of the world does not go to the trouble to record such dribble.
Report Post »rolla020980
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 10:09amMost of the world doesn’t get tornadoes like we do. The US receives about 90% of all the world’s tornadoes annually.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:32am.
Report Post »Looks like more proof of man made global warming. Al did you draw map….
Hickory
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:29amWe had an opportunity here to offer protection to our citizens from these storms. If Obama had really wanted to inspire manufacturing in this country, why didn’t he apply the cash he was throwing around as incentive to manufacture and provide low cost shelters? That money would have rived up manufacturing all over the Eastern half of the US and made real improvements to lives.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:42amHickory…
It’s all in Mooshells “slim down America plan”…..!
Get the people skinny enough to fit in a fortified Yugo and save billions.
Serenity…NOW…!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:29amEastern side of Lake Michigan and southern side of Superior look safe.
Report Post »SageInWaiting
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:48amI’ve lived in Missouri, Minnesota, and the Northeast and tornadoes have followed me to all locations. Just because there were no tornadoes in N MN don‘t mean there hasn’t been wind damage. Straight-line winds took out miles of timber in the Boundry Waters area during the Clinton years – a great deal of controversy at the time because the Feds wouldn’t allow lumbermen to harvest the downed tress, resulting a couple years later by severe fires there that people in the area feared would result from all the dry fuel (dead trees) lying around. Again, the gov‘t in Washington proves it’s as dumb as a rock compared to the people who live in and know an area. As far as east of the lakes, you might be spared the tornadoes but not the lake-effect snow in the winter.
Report Post »FieryRedHead
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 5:05pmI’ve lived on the west side of Michigan my entire life (pretty much between those two bright blue lines). And now that Jennifer and her mole moved back to CA, it’s only getting better!
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 8:26amPretty cool looking map. Looks like you should move to the mountains if don’t like twisters. That is, if you can survive the bears.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 3:02pmI live in Tallahassee FL, that tiny little arc of the big bend that had maybe three tiny dots in it. You can move here but then you have to worry about hurricanes. Hurricanes, twister, and bears. Oh my!
Report Post »