Rose Andreatta

Last updated January 20, 2022
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Midwestern and Southeastern Tornado Outbreak December 2021

United States

A major tornado outbreak of at least 50 tornadoes struck America's Heartland the night of December 10, including at least one long track tornado that may have been on the ground for more than 200 miles across four states. Homes and businesses were destroyed across eight states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee, as well as Kentucky where the devastation was most severe. It's likely that at least 100 people died. There is increasing evidence linking climate change to the severe weather that gives rise to tornadoes and emerging research suggests there may be a link between warming and large tornado outbreaks, particularly in the southeast U.S. in the winter months. Additionally, Tornado Alley is shifting east, away from Kansas and Oklahoma toward the states hit Friday night.

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The ruins of the 1888-89 courthouse after an F4 tornado cut a 230+mile path across southwestern Kentucky on December 10, 2021. This image is from drone footage shot by KY State Senator Whitney Westerfield.
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Rose Andreatta

Rose Andreatta is the director of the Climate Signals project and has over a decade of experience translating scientific information into usable formats for a variety of audiences. Rose earned her Master’s of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University and holds a Certificate of Achievement in Weather Forecasting from Pennsylvania State University.

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