Weather Facts: Winter Tornadoes

The peak time for tornadoes is usually from April to June. But this year we're getting a jump start to the tornado season.

Sixty-seven confirmed tornadoes already most of them were weak twisters with winds from 70 to 100 mph with a few stronger tornadoes mixed in.

In January, Adairsville, Georgia was struck by an EF 3 tornado that stayed on the ground for 22 miles.

Just a few days ago a stronger tornado packing winds of 170 mph caused major destruction around Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This is only the 6th EF 4 to form over the U.S. since 2000.

It's no surprise that the south experiences a few tornadoes during the winter.

The averages over the years prove that areas from Texas to Carolinas are prime locations for tornado development in the winter.

The tornado frequency increases when the winters are mild. This helps fuel tornadic storms. There is so much energy, moisture, warm air and spin available. This gives storms a better chance to explode and drop tornadoes.

The most disturbing trend shows that violent tornadoes are occurring more often even during the winter. From 2000 to 2008, 135 of the 539 U.S. tornado related deaths happened from December to February. These winter tornadoes are more dangerous because they are getting stronger and move faster plus people don't expect them.

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