December Tornadic Activity Not as Rare as You May Believe

Posted: December 15, 2022 11:01 am

This week’s outbreak of severe weather across the South may have caught many residents off guard, however, tornado outbreaks in December may not be as rare as you think.

Month of December is Not a Stranger to Tornadoes

The month of December is typically characterized by snow and ice as winter sets in throughout the Northern Hemisphere. But the last month of the year can also usher in powerful storms, particularly across the southern tier of the nation. All that is needed is the right atmospheric conditions, just as this week demonstrated.

In order for severe weather to take root, there needs to be a certain set of conditions, including unstable air and moisture. The most common source of moisture-rich air to fuel storms in the U.S. is the Gulf of Mexico. It is this moisture that fuels the formations of storms across the central portions of the country.

It is not surprising to learn that this moisture from the Gulf flows up more easily and for longer distances during the spring, summer, and fall months. This explains why thunderstorms are more likely to form during this time of the year when compared to December, January, and February.

Where You Are Most Likely to See December Tornadoes

That said, the Gulf Coast states and the lower Mississippi Valley are still in the bullseye for moisture pushing up through the Gulf during the winter. This is because they encompass the areas located the closest to this warm body of water. As a result, this is the region of the U.S. that is most likely to experience severe weather outbreaks during the winter.

While severe storms can certainly fire up outside of this zone, the most likely areas to see tornadoes and other serious weather impacts include the eastern portion of Texas and into Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The storms may creep as far north as Arkansas and Missouri with the right conditions in place.

Diving Into the Data

There have been more than 2,000 confirmed tornadoes spread out over 38 states in December since 1875. According to the Tornado Archive, almost 40 states have confirmed twisters as the year comes to an end.

The year 2021 was particularly brutal for tornadic outbreaks in December with 193 twisters confirmed during this time. These outbreaks were at the hands of factors such as sufficient amounts of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, above normal temperatures, and a potent jet stream anchored over the middle of the nation.

The first major outbreak of December 2021 took place on the night spanning December 10 into December 11, touching down across nine total states. At least 90 deaths were blamed on the outbreak. Another slew of twisters rushed through the Midwest on December 15 with over 50 tornadoes confirmed.

The year 2015 was another devastating year for December tornadoes across the South. Almost 40 tornadoes took the lives of 18 people in Mississippi just a few days before Christmas. This unsettled weather pattern triggered another outbreak on December 27 with 18 tornadoes ripping through Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This outbreak killed over 30 people and destroyed dozens of homes.

A Christmas Day tornado outbreak in 2012 also left a trail of destruction in an area stretching from Texas to Alabama. This day broke the record for the number of twisters on this date in history when 51 tornadoes spun up. The previous record for Christmas Day was only 12. Fortunately, there were no fatalities associated with this particular outbreak.

While tornadoes in December are not as common as those during the peak spring months, they can often be more deadly because it gets darker earlier. Twisters that touch down under the cover of darkness are more likely to catch people off guard.

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