Most of the tornadoes in North America occur in the central United States, in a 'tornado belt' comprising the states of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, USA. In this region, the combination of warm winds from the Gulf of Mexico and cold winds from Canada creates ideal conditions for the formation of mesocyclones, especially in April and May. In the southeastern part of the continent (Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi), tornado season occurs earlier, between January and March. The western United States, protected by the Rocky Mountains, is practically tornado-free. |