University of Wisconsin - Extension

What's the best place in the house to weather a tornado?

Should you take the time to open windows when a tornado is approaching?

Is there any time of the year in Wisconsin during which you don't have to worry about a tornado striking?

The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, a part of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, has released a book, A Tornado Climatology for Wisconsin, that answers these questions, and more.

Former State Climatologist Pamela Naber Knox and former State Climatology Office employee Douglas Norgord were inspired to write this report because of the widespread interest that many people have in tornadoes and other types of extreme winds. In addition to describing the conditions that can lead to severe storms and tornado formation, they have compiled historic tornado occurrences and use maps to show the distribution of tornadoes over time and space in Wisconsin.

The authors also discuss the rules of tornado safety. For example, windows should be closed during a tornado to help maintain the structural strength of the walls and prevent the wind from lifting off the roof from the inside. The lowest floor of a house is generally the safest place to take cover during a tornado, but not necessarily the southwest corner--your best choice is probably under a heavy table or stairwell. And you might be surprised to discover that tornadoes can hit Wisconsin in almost any month--since 1950, only the month of February has been free of tornadoes.

Copies of this 29-page, soft-cover report are available over the counter or by mail from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, 3817 Mineral Point Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53705-5100, for $8 each. A 47-page companion piece published in 1996, Wind Atlas of Wisconsin (by Knox), which includes annual and monthly averages of wind speed and prevailing direction and many illustrations, is available for $10.

Mail-order customers should include applicable shipping and handling fees; please call the Map and Publication Sales office (608/263.7389) for shipping information. Wisconsin residents, please add 5 or 5.5% sales tax (depending on county of residence) to the entire amount of the order. A list of publications is free of charge upon request. For information about Survey activities, visit http://www.uwex.edu/wgnhs/.