3.17.2008 8:20 AM

"Unheard Of" Super-Cell Tornadoes Strike

Yet Another Round of Unusual Tornadoes

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Map showing tornado activity on Saturday, March 15.

The National Weather Service severe weather report from Saturday, March 15, 2008, shows the path of tornadoes across the South.

Photo: NOAA

By Dan Shapley

Five super-cell tornadoes tore through Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina Saturday, in a fit of destruction that one local official called "unheard of."

Except, we keep hearing about it. This is only the latest outbreak of tornadoes in the United States this year. Already, the number of tornadoes reported in 2008 dwarfs the typical year-to-date tally, and severe tornadoes have struck at odd times, and in odd places.

The Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, was smacked Friday, during a quarterfinal college basketball game. Super Tuesday balloting was disrupted across parts of the South a few weeks earlier.

Some scientists have predicted that the U.S. could see more tornado and thunderstorm activity due to global warming, as the pre-conditions for strong storms become more common.

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