Cold Weather Working in the UK: Keeping Staff Safe and Warm

As winter's chill sets in, bringing with it frosty mornings and icy breezes, it's crucial for employers across the UK to turn their attention to the safety and well-being of their workforce. Cold weather isn't just about discomfort; it brings real challenges to the workplace, affecting both health and productivity. In this light, understanding the legal and safety guidelines becomes not just a necessity but a responsibility. This blog post delves into the UK's legal framework and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards, guiding employers on how to navigate the complexities of cold weather working. Whether you're managing an outdoor construction team or an indoor office environment, staying informed and prepared is key to ensuring a safe and comfortable workspace for everyone.

Understanding the HSE Guidelines and What They Mean for Employers

The arrival of cold weather signals more than just a change in wardrobe; for employers, it's a call to action to safeguard their employees' health and safety. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of Great Britain plays a pivotal role in this, emphasizing the need for workplaces to adapt to the dipping temperatures. According to the HSE, the onset of cold weather, often marked by warnings from the Met Office, should prompt a reevaluation of working conditions, particularly in jobs that become increasingly challenging in such climates.

Central to this is the adherence to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. These regulations don't dictate exact temperature figures but require employers to maintain what's deemed a "reasonable" temperature in the workplace. While "reasonable" might seem subjective, the HSE provides a guideline suggesting that the minimum indoor temperature should generally be at least 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit), or 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) for more physically demanding work.

However, it's important to note that these temperatures are not strict legal limits but rather recommendations that demand a practical approach from employers. What constitutes a reasonable temperature can vary widely depending on the nature of the work and the workplace. For instance, outdoor workers or those in cold storage environments might find themselves outside these temperature ranges.

This means that employers must go beyond just monitoring thermostats. They are tasked with conducting risk assessments to identify if extreme temperatures could pose a health and safety risk. This includes considering potential accident risks due to cold conditions and ensuring basic staff welfare facilities are in place. If these cannot be provided, it may be unsafe for employees to work.

The crux of these guidelines is not in strict adherence to a numerical value but in a broader sense of responsibility. Employers are expected to tailor their approach to the specific circumstances of their workplace, always with the safety and comfort of their employees in mind.

The Real Impact of Cold on Workers: Health, Safety, and Performance

When winter's icy grip tightens, it's not just the outdoor landscape that changes; the cold can significantly impact the health, safety, and performance of workers. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warns that cold environments can pose immediate and long-term health risks. For outdoor workers, the challenges are evident: they face the direct brunt of the elements, which can lead to conditions like cold stress, characterized by symptoms such as coughing and body aches.

But it's not just physical health that's at stake. John Rowe, Head of Operational Strategy at the HSE, highlights a crucial yet often overlooked aspect: cold conditions can impair decision-making abilities. Employees working in uncomfortably cold environments are less likely to perform optimally and more prone to unsafe behaviors, as their ability to make good decisions deteriorates.

This dual impact – on both physical health and cognitive function – underscores the importance of a proactive approach to managing workplace temperatures. Whether it's an outdoor construction site or a drafty office space, ensuring that workers are not just physically protected but also mentally sharp is vital. As the temperatures drop, the focus shouldn't just be on thermometers but on the overall well-being of those braving the cold to keep businesses running.

Practical Tips for Employers: Keeping Your Team Warm and Safe

In the face of cold weather, practical steps taken by employers can make a significant difference in ensuring a warm and safe working environment. These measures are not just about compliance with regulations but about demonstrating care and concern for the team's well-being.

1. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): For outdoor work, providing suitable PPE is crucial. This includes warm clothing, insulated hats, and gloves, which are essential for worker safety in cold outdoor temperatures. The Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 underscore the importance of providing such equipment free of charge when there's a risk to health or safety.

2. Creating Warm Break Areas: Employers should consider providing mobile facilities for warming up, along with access to hot drinks like soup or tea. This not only helps in maintaining body temperature but also offers a mental break from the cold.

3. Frequent Rest Breaks: Introducing more frequent rest breaks can be an effective way to manage the impact of cold weather on workers. These breaks allow employees to warm up and reduce the risk of cold stress.

4. Maintaining Indoor Temperatures: For indoor work environments, it's important to keep the building as warm as possible, ideally around 16°C (61°F) for less active job roles. Ensuring fresh running water and allowing extra breaks for warm drinks can also help.

5. Regular Check-ins and Weather Monitoring: Keeping an eye on the weather forecast for worsening conditions and checking in on staff regularly to ensure their well-being should be part of the routine.

By implementing these measures, employers can provide a more comfortable and safer working environment, thereby enhancing productivity and morale even during the coldest months.

Success Stories: How UK Businesses Are Adapting to Cold Weather Working

Amid the challenges of cold weather, there are numerous UK businesses that stand as beacons of best practices, showcasing innovative and caring approaches to keep their teams safe and productive. These success stories not only highlight compliance with health and safety regulations but also demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being that goes beyond mere obligations.

One such example is a construction company in Northern England that has set a high standard for outdoor working in the cold. Recognizing the risks posed by freezing temperatures, they have implemented a comprehensive cold-weather strategy. This includes providing high-quality thermal PPE, setting up heated break tents on-site, and scheduling work to minimize exposure during the coldest parts of the day. Their proactive approach has resulted in a notable decrease in cold-related absences and an increase in worker morale.

Another case involves a large office complex in Scotland, where management took steps to combat the challenges posed by a particularly harsh winter. They enhanced their building's insulation, provided additional space heaters in colder areas, and introduced flexible working hours to help staff avoid the chill of early mornings. These measures not only kept the workforce warm but also conveyed a strong message of care and concern for employee comfort.

These stories underscore that adapting to cold weather working is as much about innovation and empathy as it is about adhering to guidelines. They serve as inspiring examples for other businesses looking to navigate the winter months effectively while keeping their teams safe and motivated.

Wrapping Up: Staying Safe and Productive in the Cold

As we've seen, navigating the cold weather at work is about more than just enduring lower temperatures. It's about creating an environment where safety, health, and productivity go hand in hand. Employers who recognize this not only comply with regulations but also foster a workplace culture of care and respect. Whether it's through providing the right equipment, maintaining comfortable temperatures, or simply being attentive to employee needs, the efforts made to combat the cold can have a profound impact. As winter marches on, let's remember that a warm approach to employee well-being is key to thriving through the season.

Global Warming Continues to Threaten Regional Livelihoods

With soaring surface temperatures and new record highs recorded every year for the past 50 years, global warming continues to be one of the biggest threats to various regions around the world. Arizona in particular just recorded the hottest summer in the state’s history, unfortunately coinciding with an increase in heat related deaths across the state. Continued effects from the result of ongoing warming trends in regional environments could pose additional challenges for individuals in the future. 

Record high temperatures can affect the body in a variety of different ways, and create unstable biological conditions that can lead to death. The high surface temperatures also pose threats to infrastructure, technology, and vital installations in urban metropolitan areas. Negative associated effects of heat exposure can be exacerbated when necessary resources are compromised in heat wave events. Officials are still tallying the number of deaths that resulted from the record temperatures in Arizona this year, and many scientists are looking to the future, concerned about new associated risks. 

Record High Summer Temperatures

This summer proved to be a record breaking year for surface temperatures across many regions in the United States, and specifically in Arizona. Record keeping for temperatures began in the state in 1895, and this year experienced three of the highest recorded months on record.

Daily average temperatures this summer holdfast at 97 degrees Fahrenheit which surpassed the three year previous record of 96.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Phoenix also set a record for a 31 day streak of temperatures at or exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat waves like that seen in Phoenix are beginning to happen more frequently as the climate in the region becomes dryer and overall global temperature averages continue to rise. Officials began recording associated deaths in 2005 to identify where policy changes could be applied to lessen the impacts of heat related casualties. They have added several categories to discern the deaths and provide a well rounded investigation into their route cause and resolution.

Heat Related Death Information

• Sex

• Age

• Race

• Ethnicity

• Location 

• Indoors vs Outdoors

• Air Conditioner present?

• Working or not working

• Electricity present?

Collecting vital information like these statistics is vital for researchers when discerning associative risk factors in severe weather events like those of this summer. These electricity statistics are important because findings have influenced power companies to maintain vital electricity powering air conditioners running during heat waves, even if clients have not paid their bills. 

Many of the deaths recorded in previous years happened due to a lapse in power, leaving the affected individuals inside their homes without a working air conditioner. Having the means to cool off is vital during extended periods of record high temperatures, especially when outside averages exceed into the triple digits. 

Counting Heath Related Deaths

Counting and recorded heat related casualties can take an extended amount of time for officials because there are many factors involved in the investigations. There are investigations into the individual's past and present related health conditions, environmental hazards, toxicology reports, autopsies, weather forecasts, and resource assessments. Mariposa county investigates heat deaths including those caused by excessive temperatures, heat stroke, and heart attacks as the result of environmental stress. 

This year's records observed almost 75 percent of the total recorded deaths to have occurred outside exposed to the elements. Almost half of those deaths were homeless people who did not have access to air conditioning, water, or other vital resources. There are an estimated 10,000 people in Mariposa county without access to a home, so the numbers could be potentially much higher if severe conditions persisted even longer. 

Less than 100 of the recorded deaths so far happened indoors in Arizona. Most of these recorded deaths occurred in homes where the in unit air conditioners were turned off or disabled. 

Future of Heat Related Deaths

As global warming continues to impact the world, many regions are experiencing rapid environmental changes. While some regions are experiencing extended winters, rain, and moisture other regions like the southwestern United States have observed quite the opposite. Southern Arizona has just experienced its hottest recorded summer with an extended period of time exceeding triple digit temperatures. These conditions are not atypical for the desert region, however their extended durations and excessively high temperatures are a direct result of the effects of climate change. 

In the future regions like this will continue to see extended periods of extreme temperatures and the cities need to establish enough access to vital resources to prevent increases in heat related deaths. This summer already showed a dramatic increase compared to past years, and hopefully it will lead to improvements in policies controlling the distribution of access to life saving resources like air conditioning, water, and shelter. 

Canada’s Raging Wildfires Spreading Toxic Smoke Across USA

Hundreds of uncontrolled fires have been setting massive areas of forests in Canada ablaze threatening critical infrastructure, millions of acres, and dozens of U.S. states. These forest fires began rapidly spreading this month and quickly spread across millions of acres after several instances of lightning strikes and failure to control small fires greatly exacerbated the magnitude of this natural disaster. 

Canadian officials are continuing to expel resources to fight the ongoing fires in the Quebec province. The country has enlisted aid from the United States in an effort to abate the ongoing disaster, although most of the damage has already exacerbated many of those additional resources. The resulting effects from the extreme fires have expelled enormous volumes of toxic gasses and smoke that has since traveled thousands of miles enshrouding many American states in the northeast. 

Canada Fires Wreaking Havoc

Multiple fires began in the Canadian Quebec province earlier this month, and they quickly grew into each other creating massive wildfires that began to rapidly scorch millions of acres of forest. The typical fire season for Canada lasts between May and October, but earlier summer temperatures have made many of the wild grasses and forest lands particularly dry this season creating many areas more prone to fire hazards. 

Many large areas of remote wilderness exist in large provinces like Quebec and that increases the difficulty of fire fighting resources from accessing the fires. More than 400 fires are currently burning across the country and more than 200 are described as being out of control, with the most severe residing in Quebec. 

The rapid growth of the wildfires severely crippled many areas of infrastructure throughout the province including road closures, rural evacuations, telecommunication interruptions, and continued risks to high voltage power lines. This critical infrastructure is experiencing massive shutdowns throughout the country and directly affecting tens-of-thousands of people. More than 100 of those fires are currently under urgent watch as they have grown past their original boundaries and are now posing risk to residents and commercial properties. 

The accumulation of massive forest fires across the country has interrupted people's daily lives, safety, and overall air quality. Canada has reached out to its neighbors in the United States for help and additional resources as the fires must be contained to prevent further damage. U.S. President Biden pledged to help and send aid in any way he can after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. President Biden also repeated a resounding warning to many of the northeastern United States as they are currently facing their own challenges in response to the toxic fumes flooding the atmosphere and circulating south from the fires. 

Toxic Fumes Impact Northeast

The scale and duration of the massive forest fires affecting the Canadian wilderness has resulted in an enormous amount of toxic gasses entering the atmosphere. These gasses have continued to spread thousands of miles away from their origins at the fires and now pose significant risks to residents living in the northeastern United States. 

Videos and photos from downtown New York city this past weekend showed the towering skyscrapers in a scene that resembles something like the sunset over the Sahara Desert. Smoke, ash, and toxic chemicals filled the sky over many large cities in New England and the midwest as storm cell systems moved the gasses across the region. 

Health advisories were posted for millions of people residing in these heavily populated metropolitan areas as the thick smoke rapidly took over the sky. Many claimed the smoke burned their eyes, lungs, and left them with lingering chest inflammation. Health officials recommended remaining indoors and limiting time spent outside in direct exposure. Many residents also took up masks and air filtration devices eerily reminiscent of the covid-19 pandemic still lingering in many parts of the world. 

Individuals most likely to be affected by smoke inhalation symptoms include people working outdoors, namely in construction and development industries. Employers are encouraged to provide adequate protections in the form of respiratory protection for their employees as they will be facing increased risks. Other individuals with respiratory disabilities like asthma, emphysema, and autoimmune diseases are also at an increased risk. 

Future Events Imminent 

As climate change continues to impact many regions of the world, extreme forest fire events similar to this one are likely to become more common every year. The effects of climate change are gradual, but incredibly damaging to areas prone to fire hazards. Increased global temperatures can reduce annual moisture reaching the ground creating dry underbrush and vegetation that can easily catch fire and create a situation for rapid expansion of even small forest fires. 

Other effects climate change poses for increased wildfires is the modification of historical weather trends. Many areas in the north are experiencing earlier summer conditions and later falls. The changing seasons affects many of the critical industries previously mentioned and makes accessing necessary firefighting resources more difficult as they are not as readily available outside of the regular fire season.

Industries that respond to environmental emergencies are slowly adapting the the changing climate as they need resources much earlier than previously and they must maintain that level of aid for longer annual periods. Current firefighting efforts are still lacking effectiveness to the ongoing emergencies, even with help from the United States, and officials are working extremely hard to gain control. 

Proposed New Rules for Workplace Protection Against Wildfire Smoke

Not much is known about the true effects wildfire smoke has on outdoor workers, yet many regions are considering installing new rules to protect workers against associated workplace health hazards. Wildfires generate copious amounts of smoke into the atmosphere which can linger and spread far distances affecting many diverse workplace industries, and those that must work outdoors are directly at risk. Certain complications affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems are known to be caused directly from smoke inhalation, and protections in the new rules will seek to provide for those ailments. 

Many different components have contributed to the new rules and certain regions have been in discussions for multiple years over the specific regulations to be imposed. Lawmakers have been diligently working with environmentalists, scientists, medical professionals, public involvement, and those predominantly affected to develop succinct rules that can protect those at risk. Certain areas more severely affected by climate change, drought, and dry conditions will continue to increase frequency of wildfires posing additional risks for industries and any employee conducting business outdoors. 

Effects of Smoke Exposure

Smoke exposure can invoke a variety of different complications to the human body, particularly affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of those exposed. Wildfire smoke is different from cigarettes or exhaust due to the variety of different gas combinations and particulate matter. The mix of gasses and fine particulates form from burning vegetation, structures, or other materials. Studies suggest breathing in wildfire smoke can have instantaneous effects on anytype of individual, regardless of health. 

Immediate Symptoms

• Coughing

• Breathing difficulties 

• Stingy eyes

• Dry throat

• Runny nose

• Irritated sinuses

• Wheezing and shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Headache

• Asthma attacks

• Tiredness

• Accelerated heartbeat

Immediate side effects from smoke inhalation can rapidly degrade a person’s ability to effectively work, travel, or participate in outdoor activities. These symptoms can continue to persist for extended periods of time, even when a person removes themselves from the source of the smoke.

The difficulties when assessing smoke inhalation risks in regards to wildlife smoke is the percentage of pollutant particulate matter. Health effects when dealing with air particulates can range from relatively minor symptoms to more serious long term health effects. The fine particulates are respiratory irritants that can cause persistent coughing, phlegm build up, difficulty breathing, and impacts to the entire respiratory system. These particulates can decrease the body’s ability to effectively remove foreign materials from the lungs, leading to excess bacteria and viral infections. Even people without underlying conditions can experience reduced respiratory activity including lung irritation and pulmonary inflammation. 

Long term exposure to wildfire smoke inhalation has relatively little known data to conclusively make assessments, however studies involving prolonged exposure to severe conditions over several days and weeks suggest a cumulatively negative effect on the lung’s capacity to provide clean oxygen to the body. Difficulties in assessing the effects of wildfire exposures is due to the lack of detailed studies on the general public's reaction to those conditions compared to the studies conducted on wildland firefighters directly in the pathway of dangerous smoke conditions. Gaps in the knowledge also fail to accurately depict the status of persistent health conditions in the wildlife offseason for workers. 

Protections From Wildfire Smoke

The most effective way to prevent wildfire smoke inhalation health effects is by limiting a person’s direct exposure to the elements. The Center for Disease Control has published a variety of tips for the public to avoid developing health complications in the height of wildlife season. 

1. Observe local air quality conditions

1. News and health networks will release warnings and condition updates when there is a wildfire in your area. Take safety precautions by limiting your exposure to the outdoors when under advisory. 

2. Evaluate health guidelines if they are available to your area.

3. Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible. 

1. Keeping inside air sealed from outside pollutants is almost as important as staying inside. 

4. Use an air filter

1. Air filters will help remove potential harmful particulates from the air you are breathing.

5. Do not rely on dust masks for protection

1. Comfort and dust masks will not protect you from smoke as they are only designed to stop large materials like sawdust. 

2. A typical N95 used for covid will provide some protection if you must be exposed to the elements. 

Proposed rulings for regional safety precautions for employers are based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) tool used by the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality. The AQI utilizes a rating system to quantify the probability of danger to the respiratory system and anyone outdoors. The rules outline necessary protections for when the AQI denotes dangerous particulate conditions in the air quality. 

AQI Rules - Rating spans 0 to 500 or higher

0 to 69

1. Air quality is satisfactory and no risk to outdoor exposure. 

1. 69 to 100

1. Air quality is acceptable but may pose certain risks to sensitive individuals or those with underlying conditions. 

2. Wildfire smoke response plan and recommended emergency response measures for workers experiencing any associated symptoms. 

2. 101 to 300

1. Some members of the public may begin to experience health complications and respiratory symptoms, while those with underlying conditions may react more severely. 

2. Provide respiratory protections 

3. Feasible working conditions with necessary precautions 

3. 301 to 500

1. Respirator use for affected workers

2. At least N95 masks for every employee

3. Full workplace respiratory protection program

4. Higher than the AQI

1. An N95 does not offer satisfactory protections, and more advanced respirators are required. 

Wildlife Risks for 2023

With summer shortly beginning across the United States what are the predicted risks for wildfires?

Areas in the western United States prone to severe wildfires include dry regions with adequate amounts of vegetation like California, Washington, and Colorado. The threat between April and June will be very low, but gradually increase with summer temperatures and lack of moisture. 

The peak wildlife season is expected to last between August and September, with some areas to remain under advisory until late November. The 2022 season observed more than 7 billion acres of land burned by wildfires and although 2023 has seen more moisture in certain areas then previously recorded, that statistic will likely remain the same if dry conditions prevail later in the year. 

The Northwest and Rockies observed a dryer than average winter, which means those regions will face a higher risk of wildfires as the snowpack melts quickly with the onset of summer temperatures. Some forecasters are placing the start of severe wildfires season as early as June in some of these at risk areas. Forecasters also released warnings that although many states are unaffected by the direct outburst of severe wildfires, the spread of smoke across the nation can continue to pose long lasting effects and should be taken seriously. 

America’s Tornadoes are Evolving

In the last few weeks a flurry of tornadoes devastated many regions in the midwestern United States.These storm cells left scientists and the communities wondering why tornadoes seem to be increasing in frequency, devastation, and expansion across the United States. Peak tornado season lasts between March and June with approximately 70 percent of yearly storm cells being recorded during those months. However, as a warming climate continues to modify atmospheric conditions scientists are observing certain changes in the aspect of tornado patterns and basic formation. 

The 2023 season has already observed five times reported preliminary tornado reports than the average between 1990 and 2010. The month of January alone had an astounding 168 reports of tornado storm cell activities across the United States. 

While it is still too early to definitively relate climate change to increased tornado activities, scientists are able to correlate some adverse side effects to the subtle evolution of tornado size, span, and frequency as they continue to wreak havoc across the United States each year. 

Understanding Tornado Patterns

Tornadoes are a rapidly rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm cell system in the atmosphere to the ground. Tornadoes become visible as they form a condensation tunnel of wind that collects water droplets, dust, and debris. Some tornadoes have been recorded with wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour, completely destroying anything in their path. These storm cells can be some of the most dangerous and destructive weather phenomena, responsible for countless deaths and economic damages each year. 

Tornadoes occur predominantly in the midwestern United States, but other areas of the world that experience them include Argentina, Bangladesh, and various reports on the other continents. The United States records about 1,200 tornadoes every year, however average reports overtime are somewhat inconsistent because official records only date back to 1950 and recording methods have changed overtime. 

The media often refers to an area of the United States known as tornado alley when discussing these deadly storm cells and their typical range across the United States.Although the region is a relatively common for tornado activities, the idea of “tornado alley” can be somewhat misleading.

Tornadoes have been reported in all fifty states, and many violent tornadoes have occurred outside of “tornado alley”. In the cooler months of the year tornadoes are more likely to affect the southeastern states, while the southern central plains regions are more at risk in the warmer months between May and June, and the northern plains during early summer months. 

Environmental Trends Affecting Tornadoes

To understand how environmental conditions may be affecting tornado storm cell development and resulting damages, meteorologists have been researching trends in their parent strom cell development. The scientists have been closely observing how changes in atmospheric humidity, temperature, and jet stream cycles may affect storm cell formation. 

Most tornadoes in the United States form from an uncommon supercell thunderstorm system which requires moist warm air to form close to the ground and a strong wind shear. The system requires a strong vertical wind shear caused by changing wind speeds and direction closer to the ground to draw the warm moisture up into the atmosphere. The air begins to spin cyclonically as it lifts off of the ground and continues to narrow and increase its cyclonic speed as it begins to form a menacing funnel cloud. The funnel and rotating system are the first indication of a potential tornado, but are only classified as such if they actually touch down on the ground. 

Factors Affecting Tornado Patterns 

• Increased heat and humidity in the atmosphere

• Modifications to the jet stream

• Larger and more frequent supercell thunderstorm systems

Since scientific data is fairly limited and inconsistent, scientists cannot definitively identify long term changes in the storm cells over time. They have described that we are currently in an “experimental” phase studying how tornadoes are evolving, and they can only hypothesize what the future will entail. 

The Future of Tornadoes

As warming surface trends, associated with ongoing climate changes, continue scientists have identified possible modifications to the patterns and formation of tornado storm systems as we have observed over the past 70 years. While long term predictions are not possible due to the lack of consistent and historical data, preliminary conclusions and warnings can be formulated. 

Meteorologists have already recorded an increase in the size and frequency of many supercell tornadoes, as damages have continued to surpass millions of dollars in economic losses each year. Continued expansion of industrial and residential development in at-risk regions has contributed to the increased death toll related to tornadoes in the past decades. Another factor is the increasing spread and range the storms are beginning to acquire, as unprepared regions are exposed to the severe risks associated with tornado development. 

Droughts and atmospheric conditions have resulted in fewer deadly tornadoes in states like Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. A dangerous tornado developed just last month in New Jersey leaving multiple people dead and more continue to appear in states outside the tornado alley region. The southeastern states have a long wind shear that forms the necessary conditions for tornadoes when combined with increased atmospheric temperature and humidity contributed by climate change. The necessary conditions may suggest the range of tornadoes will continue to expand to bordering states previously at a lower risk to these kinds of natural disasters. Meteorologists also suggest supercell thunderstorm formation will likely shift toward later winter and early spring months rather than summer and fall as seasonality is also affected by climate changes. 

There are many uncertainties associated with how and where tornadoes continue to evolve, but scientists are undoubtedly sure there will be continued increases in devastation, loss of life, and economic damages. The United States population has almost doubled since 1950 and increased development across tornado alley and the east coast, suggesting tornadoes are more likely to affect more people than ever before.