Posted in Arkansas April 14, 2020 by

This Spring Is Forecast To Be The Most Active Tornado Season Arkansas Has Seen In Years

Although we really didn’t need any more reasons, it seems that nature is giving us even more motivation to stay indoors. According to the National Weather Service and U.S. Tornadoes, 2020 is expected to have the worst tornado season in years. Arkansans have already felt the true predictions that this spring will unfortunately be a very active tornado season.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Tornadoes are no rare occurrence in Arkansas. Most of the state has weathered their fair share throughout the years.
Getty Images/clintspencer
Arkansans know to expect a tornado or two every spring. We've survived everything from a deadly F5 to a month filled with 50+ touchdowns. Unfortunately this season is already proving to be an active time for tornadoes.
This year the National Weather Service has forecast an unusually active tornado season, even by Arkansas standards.
U.S. Tornadoes
The powerful storm systems are due to a couple of factors. For one, the jet stream cutting through the country created a mild 2019 winter with a bottleneck of cold air staying stuck in the Arctic. This stream mixed with the Pacific/North American climate pattern even further increased the warm temperatures in the south as 2020 began. This warm air mixed with a wetter than normal forecast has literally created the perfect storm of tornadoes.
The state has already seen tragedy from the storms this year.
Getty Images/ Mark Wilson / Staff
Four tornadoes touched down during March hitting Everton and outside of Mountain Home. Later in March, an EF3 stuck Jonesboro with major damage. The storm not only destroyed structures but also flipped a plane and derailed a train. The same storm system also created two EF1 tornadoes nearby.

Just this week yet another tornado duet struck Cash and Harrisburg. These were EF0 and EF2, respectively.
A pattern of tornadoes throughout the years have carved out Arkansas' deadly tornado alley.
National Weather Service
Tornadoes in the state primarily follow along interstate 30 and U.S. Highway 67/167. The counties around this path have records of 35 or more tornadoes since 1950. This spring's forecast has predicted that the lower 1/3 of the state will be affected the most.
Although we need to prepare for a storm-heavy season, we can be assured there will always be helpers in these trying times.
Flickr/University of Central Arkansas
All we can do is prepare and be kind to our fellow Arkansans!

What’s the worst Arkansas storm you’ve survived? Share your stories with us in the comments below! Arkansans certainly have a knack for persevering through disasters of all kinds. At least this season won’t have an ice storm like the unforgettable one from 2000.

Address: Arkansas, USA