Determining severe weather seasons

Mid-Missouri is rounding the corner and passing the halfway point into the winter season. Although average highs wain into the lower 40s currently, we will start to see this number increase steadily each day. This is a sure sign that Spring is on its way meaning its time to gear up for more storms

Widespread showers and storms spread across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama throughout the overnight hours producing strong winds, localized flash flooding, and even a couple of confirmed tornadoes.

Severe storms can happen anytime throughout the calendar year, but become more prevalent dependent on favorable conditions. The 540 line is a line meteorologist use in graphics and maps to help determine which type of precipitation will fall. North of this line indicates any falling precipitation will most likely comes down as snow. Areas near this line can see a wintry mix, while areas on the south of this line will see rainfall. This line makes its way further south throughout the winter months, and lifts to the north toward Canada during the summer. As this line lifts to the north, temperatures will increase creating better conditions for storms. Storms feed off of fronts which are two different air masses meeting at a boundary.

The highest concentration of severe storms occur in the southeastern states from March-April as conditions remain favorable. As spring and summer approach, this concentration shifts further north. Mid-Missouri sees its highest concentrations of severe storms in the months April-May. Deeper into spring and summer means the higher threat concentration glides north even more towards the Great plains region.