Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Forget Y2K.
Residents in northern Indiana may want to prepare first for the upcoming spring weather. This year, Todd Holsten, National Weather Service meteorologist, North Webster, said the possibility of an increase in tornadoes during the spring is a concern.
"One of the big things this spring versus last spring is that we have the La Nina in effect," he said.
He said the northern jet stream this spring will be further displaced to the south. Normally, in the spring, the jet stream migrates to Canada. New England and the Great Lakes area will all have colder-than-normal temperatures while the Southern Plains area will be drier and warmer than normal.
"When that happens in the spring, that's not a good thing," he said.
Northern Indiana is in the clash of those two opposing weather fronts, causing more severe weather, he said.
"There's a greater chance of seeing more tornadoes," he said.
He said no one is predicting any numbers, but a study has been done that predicts a higher probability of tornadoes.
"If a tornado watch is issued, that means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms that produce tornadoes," Holsten said.
During a tornado watch, turn on the weather radio and listen for a tornado warning or other information. A flashlight should be kept available.
Once a tornado warning is issued, Holsten said, go to the basement and take cover. Get away from windows. If no basement is available, the next best place is an interior room; cover yourself with a blanket or mattress.
"If you're in a mobile home, get out," he said.
The biggest recent tornado-mobile home fatality was in Wichita, Kan., in 1990. Holsten said 39 people in a mobile home park were killed.
"If you're in a car, don't try to outrace the tornado," he said.
Abandon the vehicle, get in a low spot or ditch and cover your head.
Last year, Northern Indiana had several tornadoes, he said, but most of them were relatively weak or small.
On June 11, 1998, a tornado touched down in Etna Green, Holsten said. Several mobile homes were destroyed.
"That was an actual tornado that was tracked into Kosciusko County," he said.
On Aug. 25, 1998, an F2 tornado was tracked for 26 miles from Niles, Mich., to Bristol.
The last large break-out of tornadoes was in 1974. Holsten said it is hard to guess whether or not this year will be as bad, but, he said, the potential is there.
"It could be a much more active spring than last spring was," he said.
Holsten said the spring months of March, April and May will have temperatures slightly below normal. Precipitation will be near normal or slightly above normal.
"In the short term, (spring will be) pretty darn cold for this time of the year," Holsten said.
He said there is a prediction for snow in the next 10 days.
The average temperature in the first weeks of March for Fort Wayne will range from highs in the 40s to lows in the mid-20s. By the end of March, temperatures will range from the lower 50s to the low to mid-30s. April's highs will be in the mid-60s to the low 40s. At the end of May, highs may be in the 70s with lows in the mid-50s.
Total predicted precipitation for March, April and May will be about 9.72 inches of rain. Average temperature will be 49 degrees.
