A new Purdue study finds that areas where the landscape shifts from urban to rural or forest to farmland experience more severe weather or tornado touchdowns. The study examines more than 60 years of Indiana tornado climatology data.
It shows that from 1959 to 2012, many tornadoes touched down in close proximity to cities and forests. Authorities say that while every storm is unique, information suggests location may indeed play a greater role in tornadoes than previously thought.
The study also finds that drought conditions and climate variations like El Nino also may affect Indiana tornado climatology.