[Intro]
Time to go into a closet
To prolong burial deposit
[Verse 1]
The Central U.S.
Is a mess
Homes tossed
Lives lost
[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)
[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]
[Verse 2]
Good golly
Tornado alley
A thing of the past
Now a superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)
[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)
[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]
[Bridge]
A superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)
Fueling catastrophe
Why? Don’t ask me
(Why to cry)
[Instrumental, Piano]
[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)
[Outro]
A superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)
A SCIENCE NOTE
May 27, 2024 — At least 19 Killed in Tornado-Spawning Storms Sweeping Central US
At least 19 people, including four children, have died in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky due to tornadoes and severe weather that swept through the central United States. The storms, along with extreme heat in some areas, continue to disrupt plans and cause power outages over the Memorial Day weekend. Millions of people are facing severe weather threats, with over 120 million at risk on Monday. The risk is concentrated along the East Coast, south of New England, where a level 2 out of 5 threat has been issued.
The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as tornadoes and severe storms, are increasingly influenced by climate change. Here are some key ways climate change impacts these events:
- Increased Heat and Moisture: Warmer global temperatures lead to more heat and moisture in the atmosphere. This added heat and moisture can fuel more intense storms and provide the energy needed for severe weather events, including tornadoes.
- Altered Jet Stream Patterns: Climate change can affect the behavior of the jet stream, the high-altitude winds that influence weather patterns. A more erratic jet stream can lead to more extreme weather events, such as prolonged heatwaves and severe storms.
- Higher Sea Surface Temperatures: Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to more powerful hurricanes and tropical storms, which can bring severe weather inland and contribute to tornado formation in affected areas.
- Increased Atmospheric Instability: Climate change can lead to greater atmospheric instability, a key factor in the development of severe weather. This instability can increase the likelihood and severity of thunderstorms, which can spawn tornadoes.
- More Frequent Heavy Rainfall Events: Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier and more frequent rainfall events. These heavy rains can accompany severe storms, increasing the potential for flooding and other weather-related disasters.
- Longer Storm Seasons: Climate change can extend the duration of storm seasons, increasing the window of time during which severe weather can occur.
While the direct link between climate change and specific tornado events is complex and still under study, the overall trend suggests that climate change is likely to contribute to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.