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Spring has arrived in Florida, and with it comes a rapid jump in the frequency of tornadoes. Yearly the number increase to a maximum in June, July and August with a fast decline in October, November and December. But looking at number does not tell the whole story.

Winter and spring tornadoes are more powerful because of the presence of the jet stream. As the jet meanders across the north American continent, controlling the daily weather of the United States, it frequently bends down into the Gulf of Mexico. It is usually accompanied by a strong cold front and a strong squall line of thunderstorms sweeping across Florida.

Open Country Action Seek shelter if nearby and time permits. If not, lie flat in the nearest depression, a ditch or culvert. Cover your head with your arms. If no ditch is nearby, crawling under a vehicle may supply some shelter. Tornado Action Box For Vehicles Abandon your vehicle and seek refuge in a building or — as a last resort — a ditch or culvert. Do not try to outrun a tornado.

The jet stream's high level of winds of 100 to 200 mph often strengthen developing thunderstorms into what meteorologists call a supercell or mesocyclone thunderstorm. These powerful storms can move at speeds of 30 to 50 mph, produce dangerous downburst winds, large hail and the most deadly tornadoes.

How do tornadoes form - Most tornadoes are produced by rapidly rising air in a thunderstorm updraft, although smaller tornadoes and waterspouts can form in weaker showers. If there is a large increase in wind speed and a change in wind direction with height, the updraft will spin. This is called shear. The larger the shear the greater the rotation and the greater the chance of a tornado.

Historically the stronger and more dangerous tornadoes occur in February, March or April. The four deadliest springtime tornado outbreaks in Florida history have occurred between late February and early April.

The deadliest northeast Florida tornado struck a turpentine plant on Mar. 30, 1939, killing four workers. The deadliest northwest Florida tornado struck near Milton on Mar. 31, 1962, killing 17 people. At lease 10 homes had a single death. The deadliest central Florida tornado outbreak, Feb. 22-23, 1998, produced four mesocyclones that spawned 7 tornadoes. Forty-two people were killed in Volusia, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. Finally, the deadliest south Florida tornado struck Miami on April 5, 1925, killing five people.

Late summer and fall tropical cyclones also increase the occurrence of tornadoes, especially when they are in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane Agnes spawned tornadoes that killed 7 people in Okeechobee County on June 18, 1972 when the eye was 200 miles of Tampa.

Even unorganized tropical disturbances can be dangerous. A low pressure center originating in the southwest Gulf of Mexico spawned tornadoes hundreds of miles from its center that killed four people in the Tampa Bay area on Oct. 3, 1992. Tropical storm Josephine in October of 1996 produced a record 20 tornadoes including one that cut a 400 yard wide, eight mile long path across the town of Edgewater.

Offices, Condos & Hotel Action Monitor NOAA Weather Radio. When action is required, take shelter in an interior hallway on a lower floor, closet or small room. As a last resort, get under heavy furniture, away from windows.

How can you protect yourself from a tornado? It is the role of the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue tornado warnings for Florida. The fastest access to those warnings is through a NOAA weather radio. Receivers cost less than $40 and will warm you day or night whenever a severe weather warning is issued.

Often tornadoes are so small or short-lived that the National Weather Service cannot issue a timely warning. Fortunately the larger, more dangerous tornadoes are more likely to be picked up by the NWS Doppler radars allowing them to issue warnings.

If you receive no warning, your best clue that a tornado is approaching is the tell-tale roaring or rumbling sound they make. If you hear this – or a NWS warning – in your area, take cover quickly. Find a small room on the lowest floor of a strong building and stay away from doors and windows.

Don’t try to outrun a tornado in a car. If you see a tornado while in a car, take cover in a nearby strong building or get into a ditch on the side of the road.