Climate Change and Oklahoma Tornadoes
Green OklahomaApr 28
Oklahoma Tornadoes Kill at Least Four
Image copyright: J Pat Carter/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
At least four people, including a four-month-old baby, died and 100 were injured Saturday after dozens of tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Sunday declared an emergency in 12 counties, including Oklahoma County, which holds Oklahoma City. About 80 miles (128 km) south of the city, in a town called Sulphur, at least two tornadoes were reported.
The Spin
Narrative A
These tornadoes should draw attention to the effects climate change has on wind-based extreme weather. The warming atmosphere has led to more unstable low-level air, which can cause more thunderstorms and more powerful twisters. We shouldn't blame every tornado on climate change, but we should acknowledge the role it's playing.
Narrative B
It's difficult to link tornadoes to climate change because tornado data has only been officially recorded for three decades. Therefore scientists can't say whether there has been a significant change in tornado patterns over a long period of time. All in all, more research must be conducted to draw any conclusions.
Nerd narrative
There's an 80% chance that 10-day out weather forecasting will reach 60% accuracy before 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.