COLUMBUS, Ohio — At least 19 tornadoes touched down in Ohio this week, mostly on Tuesday, as many other states were hit with deadly storms.
Most of the tornadoes were either EF0s or EF1s. Only three of the storms reached an EF2.
Here's a breakdown of where the tornadoes have hit in Ohio this week:
- Here's a breakdown of where the tornadoes have hit in Ohio this week:EF0 - Licking County: Started in Louisville, ended in Hanover
- EF1 - Muskingum County: Started and ended in Frazeysburg
- EF1 - Coshocton County: Started and ended in North Dresden
- EF0 - Paulding County: Started in Broughton, ended in Oakwood
- EF0 - Putnam County: Started and ended in Belmore
- EF0 - Butler County: Started and ended in Middletown
- EF1 - Butler County: Started in Brookville, Indiana and ended in Oxford in Butler County
- EF1 - Butler County: Started in Oxford, ended in Millville
- EF1 - Darke County: Started in Palestine, ended in Gettysburg
- EF2 - Mercer County: Started in Montezuma, ended in New Bremen in Auglaize County
- EF2 - Mercer County: Started in Fort Recovery, ended near Coldwater
- EF0 - Clinton County: Started and ended in Blanchester
- EF1 - Warren County: Started and ended Lebanon
- EF1 - Warren County: Started and ended in Lebanon
- EF1 - Warren County: Started and ended in Morrow
- EF0 - Warren County: Started and ended in Morrow
- EF0 - Warren County: Started and ended in Clarksville
- EF2 - Jefferson County: Started in Salineville, ended in Pennsylvania
- EF1 - Paulding County: Ended in Broughton, started in Oakwood
The National Weather Service is still conducting surveys, so that number could increase.
This week's storm brings Ohio's total tornado count to 55, which is the most the state has seen by May 9. The previous high at this date was set last year with 25 tornadoes. On average, Ohio sees 19 tornadoes a year. But that number has doubled since the 1990s.
The most tornadoes Ohio has seen in a year was set in 1992 with 63 tornadoes.
For tornadoes to form, the atmosphere has to be warm and humid – conditions becoming increasingly common because of climate change.
Scientists have also noticed an eastward shift in tornado alley, which could be impacting the Buckeye state as evidenced by three record-breaking tornado seasons in Ohio in the last 15 years.