Record Tornado Activity in Ohio Linked to Climate Change

Summary:
A small EF-0 tornado touched down in Huron County, Ohio, on Saturday, marking the 63rd confirmed tornado in the state this year and setting a new state record before the end of June. Ohio’s previous record of 62 tornadoes was set in 1992. This increase is part of a broader trend of more frequent and volatile weather patterns in Ohio and the U.S. In April, Ohio led the nation with 38 tornadoes but has since been surpassed by states like Texas and Iowa. Nationally, the U.S. has already exceeded its annual average for tornadoes, recording 1,282 by the end of June compared to an average of 1,194 over the past decade.
The Huron County tornado caused no serious damage or injuries, with winds peaking at 80 mph. However, more severe tornadoes have struck the state this year, including an EF-3 in March in Logan County that resulted in three deaths and over 20 injuries, and 12 tornadoes in a single day in May, causing extensive property damage.
There is evidence that "Tornado Alley" is shifting eastward to include parts of western Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi. Climate change is contributing to this shift by creating conditions more favorable for tornado formation, with the collision line between cold and warm air moving about 140 miles east since the late 1800s.