3 ms·

> They happen a few dozen times a year for any given location. Not really, no: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/2021_torww_to_date.png https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm

> They happen a few dozen times a year for any given location. Not really, no: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/2021_torww_to_date.png https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/2021_torww_to_date.png The map is a little difficult to read, but I don’t believe “any given location” has reached even 10 watches in 2021. 171 total have been issued, which seems like a lot at first, but generally multiple watches are going to be issued on one day, so there are relatively few days a year on which TOR watches are being issued, even in areas where they are likelier to be issued. Life shouldn’t shut down because of a TOR watch, but some people around here are acting like they’re a very common occurrence when they absolutely are not.

dave78 5y ago
That's an interesting map. What does "Initial WOU only" mean? According to NWS, "WOU" is Watch Outline Update. Does that mean that as storms track east and they expand the watch, they don't include those updated regions? I live in an area shown on that map as having only been under 2 tornado watches in 2021, and I know with certainty that my area has been under more than 2 tornado watches this year. Frequently the watches are issued further west and expanded to cover my area, though. (edit) This map seems to be more what I would expect: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/20ytora.png https://www.spc.noaa.gov/wcm/20ytora.png My estimate of a few dozen was a bit high, but still this graph shows a large part of the country that averages around 10 or more watches per year. I think my point still stands, though, that people aren't going to put life on hold and take shelter every time there's a tornado watch issued.