During the Veterans Day Weekend Outbreak five years ago, in 2002, 83 tornadoes tore through 17 states in what became the second biggest November tornado outbreak on record. What was remarkable about the tornadoes that went through Van Wert was the lead time people had before the storms hit. At the Van Wert Cinemas an intense F4 tornado smashed through, tearing the roof off the building and throwing three cars onto the movie seats. Despite the destruction at the movie theater, nobody was hurt. That’s because one of the managers received the warning 28 minutes before the storm hit on an NOAA weather radio and ushered moviegoers into hallways and bathrooms. This is a perfect example of how advanced warning and severe weather planning can save lives. However, even with the warnings, homes, cars and lives were destroyed. While the extent of this outbreak was rare, severe weather is not uncommon in November. In fact, November is actually a secondary peak in severe weather. That’s because it’s a transition period when cold polar air surges down from the north and meets with warmer Gulf air. This stark contrast, along with the jet stream, has the potential to spin up severe storms.
