Weather Underground's Interactive Tornado Map

Weather Underground's Interactive Tornado Map is really neat to play around with. Of course only the documented tornadoes are there, and there are many more that are not reported every year, but it may prove to be a valuable tool. If you zoom down and drag through the heart of tornado alley, there's a tornado marking in just about every position you point the thing.

Think tornadoes don't happen in West Virginia?



This F1 ripped through the heart of Kanawha City; a sprawling business town, when I was in my teens. It mostly up-rooted trees and busted windshields. It made a 1.5 mile path. If it had been any stronger, it could have been a huge disaster. I believe that much of West Virginia is not prepared for these sorts of events. Many people believe they are protected by the hills, which is true in a way, but they do not offer complete protection from violent storms. I have noticed over the years that storms that come from north west tend to cause the most damage. I believe this may be due to how the valley is positioned relative to the storm's path.