Here are some tornado facts from the National Weather Service, Insurance Information Institute and news accounts: _Tornadoes can occur in any month, but are more frequent from April through June and between 3 and 6 p.m. _Most tornadoes track southwest to northeast, but their paths can spiral erratically. _The portion of a thunderstorm adjacent to large hail is where tornadoes are most likely to occur. _There were 32 tornado-related deaths reported in 1988, down from 59 in 1987 and well below the average of 99 a year. _Less than 2 percent of all tornadoes are classified as violent, with wind speeds of more than 200 mph and a path averaging 26 miles. The longest tornado on record went 219 miles across Missouri, Illinois and Indiana in March 1925. _Tornadoes travel at an average 30 mph, but can stand still or go 70 mph. _The largest single outbreak of twisters on record was in April 1974, when 148 storms killed 300 people in 13 states over two days. _When a tornado threatens, seek shelter in the basement or central parts of the house, office or school building, away from windows.
According to the National Weather Service and other sources, most tornadoes occur between 3 and 6 PM and travel from southwest to northeast. A thunderstorm next to large hail is where tornadoes originate. In 1988, 32 deaths occurred, well below the average of 99 per year. Only two percent of all tornadoes are violent with speeds of 200 m.p.h. They travel only an average of 26 miles but the longest one traveled 219 miles in 1925. Forward speeds are between 30-70 m.p.h. The largest outbreak on record was in 1974 when 148 storms killed 300 people in 13 states.