- Couple accused of creating videos of young girls using hidden cameras at The Woodlands Mall, Hurricane Harbor
- Couple accused of creating videos with hidden cameras at The Woodlands Mall, Hurricane Harbor
- The Texanist: Texas Gets More Tornadoes Than Any Other State, but Don’t Freak Out
- U.S. Supreme Court says Texans can sue state for flood damage
- This is how many hurricanes NC State researchers predict this year
Weather IQ: Carolina February Tornadoes
Tornadoes are not common during February compared to the warmer months, but they do happen in the Carolinas. Let’s get more weather wise in this weeks Weather IQ.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. —
February Tornadoes:
They happen more than you think and have happened recently over the last couple of years.
Since 1950, North Carolina has had 70 reported tornadoes in the month of February. That averages out to be one per year.
11 of these were reported across 10 counties in the Greater Charlotte area on February 6, 2020. Cabarrus and Cleveland county each saw an EF2 tornado. This day was historic and was the wettest February day ever recorded in Charlotte history.
As for South Carolina they have seen 57 twisters over the last 71 years during the second month of the year. None of those have ever been greater than F2 or EF2 strength.
The Fujita vs the Enhanced Fujita Scale:
The Fujita scale converted to the Enhanced Fujita Scale in 2007. All tornadoes before 2007 use a F0 to F5 compared to the EF we use today which estimates wind speeds more accurately.
Strongest February Tornadoes:
The strongest tornados to happen in the Carolinas during February all occurred in North Carolina. Two F3 tornadoes were reported in Cumberland and Sampson County February 22nd 1971.
And more recently, Brunswick County had a monster EF3 on February 15, 2021. This tornado traveled 22 miles, was 275 miles wide with an estimated wind peak of 160 mph (nearly an EF4). Sadly this tornado killed 3 people and injured 10.
In the Carolinas, tornadoes are possible, all 12 months of the year which is why we are here to keep you all a little more weather wise.