It’s a La Nina year, which to many of us (including, until very recently, me) means absolutely nothing but actually affects our weather more than most people realize. Thanks to La Nina and its often wonky temperatures, southern coastal states, most of the Midwest, and even parts of Colorado may experience more severe weather in 2021 than we have in recent years. Here is why:
Defined as a "weather pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean" where ocean surface temperatures continue to cool, the La Nina weather event typically takes place every 3 to 5 years though it can occasionally occur successively.
While the La Nina pattern is best known for creating warmer than normal winters in the south and colder than normal winters in the north, this Polar Jet stream can also cause deadly and destructive spring storms, which meteorologists predict in spring and summer 2021.
As per CNN, "The year was 2011, when a moderate La Niña weather pattern and an active jet stream generated the scenario that's almost identical to what we've experienced so far in 2021," adding that "The weather events that followed 2011's extreme cold snap now have meteorologists concerned that the US could be in for above-normal tornado activity this spring."
Thanks to that year's La Nina, 2011 will go down in history as one of the worst tornado seasons ever recorded, with such devastating storms as Joplin, Missouri and Hackleburg, Alabama, as well as 1,600 other tornadoes, including dozens in Colorado alone.
While Colorado typically doesn't see as massive of storms as our southern and eastern neighbors, the Eastern Plains could see even more tornadoes than usual in 2021, especially if La Nina history repeats itself.
Whether or not Colorado will experience above-average severe weather in 2021 is still up in the air, but if we do, it is important to stay safe by having access to shelter and an emergency kit, plus remaining aware of current weather conditions.
