When tornadoes are least likely in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Everyone in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky knows tornado season is during the spring months, but do you know when tornadoes are least likely?

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service Nashville say it’s right now. August and September are Tennessee’s calmest months when it comes to tornadoes.

Tornado data has been recorded by the National Weather Service since 1811 and during that time over 900 tornadoes have impacted the Volunteer State.

Out of all those tornadoes, only 20 occurred during August with just 12 in September.

The months with the most tornadoes in Tennessee are April and May. Over 200 tornadoes have touched down in April with 180 during May.

Krissy Hurley the meteorologist in charge at National Weather Service Nashville said typically the only chance to see a tornado this time of year is with a tropical system.

“So for us to really get any kind of tornadic storms up here in August and September it’s usually from decaying tropical systems that have hit the Gulf of Mexico. So that’s why August and September are our two least tornadic months” said Hurley.

Hurley mentioned this quiet time for tornadoes doesn’t last long and Tennessee’s secondary tornado season starts pretty soon. “What you may not know is that we have a secondary severe weather season. We usually get one tornado event or at least a severe weather event in the months of November or December.”

In fact, Tennessee’s second deadliest tornado outbreak occurred during the secondary tornado season. The tornado outbreak of November 20th, 1900 killed 41 Tennesseans.

Hurley said to always be weather aware, but to enjoy this time of year when tornadoes are least likely.