Lone February tornado sets record

It was mighty quiet for severe storm spotters last month.

Just one tornado was reported in the U.S. in February, making it the lowest number of February tornadoes since NWS began keeping records in 1950. According to records from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) the 3-year average for tornadoes in the USA is 78. Just two years ago, a whopping 147 tornadoes were reported in February 2008.

At 4:45pm on February 27th a lone EFO tornado touched down for 3 minutes 15 miles northeast of Taft, California. It caused no damage or injuries.

A predominantly cool weather pattern that extended into the Deep South caused the tornado drought last month. Snow cover extended all the way to the Florida Panhandle, and the cool air mass does not generally support thunderstorm development.

Twin Cities air quality takes a hit:

Our mild light wind weather pattern comes with a price this time of year; stagnant air. According to numbers from the MPCA, our Air Quality Index (AQI) has increased to 76 in the Twin Cities on Thursday morning. This is up from and AQI of 45 Monday.

While these numbers are not as bad as some of the air quality readings that occurred in February, it has prompted air quality advisories for the region.

Weather winning streak continues:

We contiune to run about 4 degrees above average for March so far in the Twin Cities and much of the region. Other than a weak weather disturbance that could bring some spotty rain or snow showers Saturday, it looks like our March weather winning streak continues.

The upper air pattern favors a jet stream in central Canada for the next 10 to 14 days. This should keep any cold polar air bottled up in northern Canada, and allow for mild high pressure to dominate the Upper Midwest well into mid March.

PH