Midstate dodges usual spring tornadoes

Of all the characteristics of a mercurial Nashville spring, one has almost completely dodged the region this year — tornadoes.

Since Jan. 1, the National Weather Service recorded only one tornado in the area covered by their Nashville office, according to its Storm Prediction Center data. The single tornado — an EF-1, the lowest classification — touched down Feb. 20 in Coffee County.

The one twister puts Middle Tennessee far from the average number it receives during the year, said NWS meteorologist Mark Rose. The region has seen about 15 tornadoes each year since 2004.

The reason behind the drop in severe weather, Rose said, wasn’t clear. He said colder-than-usual weather may have played a role, but that the factors needed to develop severe storms and tornadoes just haven’t come into play so far this year.

Nationally, the tornado count also has been well below average. The National Weather Service said 108 tornadoes have been reported nationally in 2014, well below the year-to-date average of 390.

“Trust me, we’re not complaining,” Rose said.