Hurricane Milton made a significant impact on tornado activity as it ripped through Florida, surprising residents with more than 100 tornado warnings. According to Jana Houser, an atmospheric scientist at Ohio State University, Hurricane Milton created almost a perfect storm scenario for tornado formation due to its sheer power and size combined with underlying atmospheric factors.
Tornadoes, whether within a hurricane or independently, develop when rotating air near the ground is pulled upward in the atmosphere by a thunderstorm. In the case of Hurricane Milton, the tornadoes were particularly strong and formed at the storm’s edges, in the strong outer rain bands as much as 100 miles from the eye. Stephanie Zick, a meteorologist at Virginia Tech, noted that tornado conditions were strongest on the east side of the storm, leading to the majority of tornado reports in southern Florida.
While Hurricane Milton caused a significant number of tornadoes, it was not the most prolific tornado-producing hurricane of the year. Hurricane Beryl, which struck the Gulf Coast of Texas in early July, spawned 68 tornadoes, nearly twice as many as Milton. The record for the most tornadoes produced by a hurricane goes to Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, which triggered 120 tornadoes as it circled around the southeastern U.S.
Hurricane-generated tornadoes highlight the multiple threats that hurricanes pose to residents, including not only vicious winds and storm surges but also violent tornadoes. As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, chaotic winds weakened the storm from a Category 5 to a Category 3, but also created messy wind patterns that fueled the tornado activity further inland.
Overall, the impact of Hurricane Milton on tornado activity serves as a reminder of the complex and interconnected nature of extreme weather events. Residents in hurricane-prone areas should remain vigilant and prepared for the various threats that these storms can bring, including tornadoes, as they navigate the unpredictable and dangerous conditions that hurricanes create.
