Severe weather ramps up in spring. Here's how it changes

Severe weather ramps up in spring. Here's how the threats change each month

By Meteorologist Justin Gehrts Nationwide

PUBLISHED 12:30 PM ET Mar. 29, 2022 PUBLISHED 12:30 PM EDT Mar. 29, 2022

Severe weather can happen any time of year, but spring is when the threat really picks up steam.

What You Need To Know

Severe weather focuses in on the south-central U.S. in early spring

The threat spreads as spring goes on

Severe weather is most common in the Plains by May

Damaging winds are a risk in the Ohio Valley and Carolinas

Severe storms

In early March, the most common area for severe weather–large hail, damaging winds, or tornadoes–is over the south-central United States.

By April 1, the ingredients for thunderstorms become more common, and so does severe weather. The highest historical odds double as a bullseye develops over southern Oklahoma. However, severe thunderstorm activity picks up anywhere from Texas to South Carolina and as far north as Indiana.

In May, just about everywhere east of the Rockies deals with the potential for severe weather.

Tornadoes

The odds that those thunderstorms will have a tornado also shift with the season. They start highest over Dixie Alley–Mississippi and Alabama–in early March, then dramatically increase and shift to the Plains into May.

Hail

Large hail at least an inch in diameter follows a similar trend. It’s most common with the powerful Plains thunderstorms in April and May. However, the southern Appalachians into the Carolinas also experience a higher risk of hail than other areas.

Damaging winds

The patterns for damaging wind change differently, though. While the odds increase as they expand in the spring, they’re not as Plains-centric. In fact, one bullseye runs from the Ohio Valley into the western Carolinas. Severe-strength wind of at least 58 mph is considerably more common than tornadoes and can spread damage over a larger area.

All that said, each year is unique and can behave differently from the long-term trends and chances. Staying weather-aware and knowing how to prepare for severe weather go a long way to keeping you safe, no matter where you live.