The tornadoes that recently struck the U.S. are some of the most destructive and deadly in history. The death in Kentucky, the hardest hit state, reached 80 on Monday, with dozens still unaccounted for. The scale of destruction and timing of the tornadoes so late in the year — most tornadoes occur in the spring and summer — is fueling discussion about how climate change may have influenced this deadly disaster.
“In my 40 years as a meteorologist (气象学家), this was one of the most shocking weather events I’ve ever witnessed,” says Jeff Masters, at Yale Climate Connections. “Watching these storms on Friday night, my thought was, ‘Is no season safe?’ Extreme tornadoes in December. That was mind blowing to me.”
Unlike heat waves and floods, the link between a wanning world and tornadoes is complex and uncertain. Scientists have several theories about how tornado behavior may change. Tornadoes in December are possible. But it remains to be seen whether climate change will strengthen or increase the frequency of tornadoes.
According to NOAA’s data, there has been a recorded increase in the number of observed tornadoes since 1950, which experts believe is largely due to better technology such as Doppler radar. There’s been no observed increase in the frequency of major tornadoes over time. For example, 59 of the most severe F5 tornadoes in the U.S. have occurred since 1950. But if the storm that destroyed Kentucky turns out to have been an F5, it will have been the first since 2013 — bringing to an end the longest recorded period so far.
Nevertheless, “given the general influence of global warming on the atmosphere, it makes sense that it should be having an impact on tornadoes too,” says Victor Gensini, an extreme weather expert at Northern Illinois University. “Instead of asking: ‘Did climate change cause this tornado?’ It’s better to operate under the assumption that climate change did play a role,” he says.
While the science on climate change and tornadoes isn’t clear, meteorologists are predicting that conditions benefiting tornadoes will continue this month. “I’m worried about the rest of the year to be honest. I don’t think we’re out of the woods yet.” Gensini says.
8. What is one difference between the recent tornadoes and the ones in the past?
A.They hit only Kentucky. | B.They happened in December. |
C.They caused no deaths. | D.They caught people unprepared. |
9. What can be inferred in paragraph 3?
A.Waves and floods often follow tornadoes. |
B.There is an agreement on how tornadoes may change. |
C.Climate change will make tornadoes the most deadly disaster. |
D.Scientists are unsure about how climate change influences tornadoes. |
10. Which statement may Victor Gensini agree with?
A.The climate change most likely has an effect on tornadoes. |
B.The tornadoes have nothing to do with climate warming. |
C.The science on climate change is advancing very quickly. |
D.The climate change will make tornadoes much less frequent. |
11. What does the underlined phrase “
out of the woods” mean in the last paragraph?
A.Out of forest. | B.Out of difficulty. |
C.Out of danger. | D.Out of question. |