Why Tornadoes on LI are a Rarity

After an EF1 tornado touched down in Atlantic Beach on August 20, Dr. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability, talked to Newsday about this rare occurrence.

Some parts of the country – particularly in the central United States – are more likely to have the atmospheric conditions required to form a tornado.

One key condition these cyclones require is “a clashing of contrasting air masses,” said Bernhardt. “We just don’t have the ingredients that are necessary. The water around the island tends to moderate the climate a bit.”