Now that we’re into March, severe weather begins to ramp up in the central and southern Plains.
As of March 8, there have been a total of 165 reported tornadoes across the U.S., with 138 of the reports having occurred during February. The average number of tornadoes in February is 29, making this February a very active month for tornadoes.
There were three separate tornado outbreaks in February, which produced at least 20 tornadoes.
There were 22 tornadoes Feb. 2 and 3, mostly in Mississippi and Alabama. About two weeks later, a total of 36 tornadoes Feb. 15 and 16 were reported across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
The third outbreak was by far the largest. A total of 77 tornadoes were reported Feb. 23 and 24 from Louisiana to North Carolina.
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The pattern has been less active so far in March. Tornadoes are rare in the Northern Plains until much later in spring.
