April, The Heart of Tornado Season

While severe weather can happen at any time, April is typically the most active in Arkansas. So far, we've had 18 tornadoes in 2020. The yearly average number is 33.

As the jet stream continues to shift poleward, the severe weather threats usually go with it. While we're still in the long range, we'll need to watch the middle of next week for a significant round of rain and storms.

Tornadoes by month from 1950 to 2014. Notice the spike in April, then it decreases going into summer as the jet moves well north. It starts to increase once again in the fall due to the jet stream moving back towards the south and increased tropical activity.

Hail reports from 1955 to 2014 mirror the tornado trends above