State on way to record year for fewest tornadoes

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma is on the way toward a record year for fewest tornadoes, but meteorologists say the fall could still make up for a calm spring and summer. <br><br>So far this year, 12

Sunday, September 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma is on the way toward a record year for fewest tornadoes, but meteorologists say the fall could still make up for a calm spring and summer.

So far this year, 12 tornadoes have been confirmed in the state. Oklahoma's average is 57. If the trend continues, 2002 will be the lowest tornado year since computerized records were started in the 1950s.

``It only takes one day, one storm to wipe out any memory of how slow it was,'' said Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Norman. ``The biggest outbreak last year was in October. Just as people in California have to be ready for earthquakes, we have to be ready for tornadoes at any time.''

Last October, 19 tornadoes were recorded in the state. The record for October twisters was set in 1998 when 27 touched down. The last busy September for storm chasers was 1992 when 16 were confirmed.

Kenneth James, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, said upper-level cool air over the western United States and a warm air layer over the central United States created a flow between them in the early spring that let storms move elsewhere. The spring's worst tornadoes occurred in Illinois, Missouri and Maryland instead of Oklahoma.

Even with those storms, the nation's tornado death toll has been lighter than usual. Eleven people have died this year, 46 below the annual U.S. average.

The weather service says the United States usually has 1,012 tornadoes by the end of August. This year, the country has only recorded 540.

Oklahoma has also experienced an unusually cool summer. Tulsa has recorded only two days where temperatures exceeded 100. It has not happened yet in Oklahoma City, setting a record for the city. But weather watchers say there is still time for things to warm up.

``The forecast is looking like low 90s for the next week, but I wouldn't rule out anything at this point,'' said Mark Shafer of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey.

Shafer said 100-degree days have been reported in September during 17 of the past 52 years.