North and Central Texas have seen more tornadoes this fall than they did all spring, but it continues to be a fairly quiet year.
Three tornadoes were recorded in North and Central Texas in the spring, and seven have been recorded this fall, according to the National Weather Service.
Another two were recorded in January, bringing the total for the areas to 12 so far this year. The number is well below average — normally the areas see about 25 tornadoes a year.
“It was definitely a quiet spring for us,” said Patricia Sanchez, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, which oversees North and Central Texas.
Why 2018 has been a relatively slow year is hard to pinpoint, according to Sanchez. Although North Texas typically sees more activity in the spring, “it’s very hard to tell” why spring was quieter than usual and why fall has been more active, she said.
The below-average number of tornadoes this year is not just specific to North and Central Texas; it has been a trend nationwide. In June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported a “record-breaking lull in tornado activity” in the first half of 2018.
“Why the nation has experienced so few this year is not clear, although researchers are searching for clues,” the report said.
Five of this fall’s seven tornadoes came Oct. 13. Four of those five were in a span of about 15 minutes.
The first tornado Oct. 13 was an EF-0 in Ellis County at Waxahachie High School, confirmed by the National Weather Service. It touched down at 12:47 p.m. and was on the ground for about a minute, reaching peak wind speeds of 85 mph.
The second was an EF-0 in Hill County. It touched down for about one minute about 12:52 p.m., reaching winds of 80 mph.
And the third was one of the strongest of the day — an EF-1 in Hill County that reached wind speeds of 100 mph. It lasted about a minute, touching down at 1:02 p.m. The fourth tornado was another EF-1 in Hill County that reached winds of 100 mph about the same time.
A fifth tornado moved through Freestone County shortly after 4 p.m. Oct. 13. It was an EF-0 with 85 mph winds.
Wind damage was reported in Limestone County near Mexia, east of Waco. Estimated peak winds in the area reached 70-75 mph, but no tornado was confirmed.
No injuries were reported as a result of the Oct. 13 tornadoes.
The Waxahachie Fire Department said four or five light poles were down, a window was knocked out in the gym and some track and field equipment was thrown around.
The band bus was overturned in the parking lot, and several cars were damaged.
by Jesus Jimenez (2018, October 19) Dallas News
