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The Terror Of Tornadoes : 1A Sirens echoed this week across several states in the Midwest.

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system made up of several thunderstorms – known as a derecho – developed over Iowa and swept through parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

This year has seen almost a thousand tornadoes. The first of which was reported near Galveston, Texas, on January 5.

We get into what happened with those twisters and what we know about their uptick in frequency. We discuss what role, if any, climate change plays in all this.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

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The Terror Of Tornadoes

The Terror Of Tornadoes

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A waterspout touches down over Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A waterspout touches down over Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Sirens echoed Monday night across several states in the Midwest.

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system made up of several thunderstorms – known as a derecho – developed over Iowa and swept through parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Tornadoes then formed in Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois – including one at O'Hare International Airport. One woman died.

More than half a million residents of these states were left without power during the storms and in the hours following, as crews rushed to restore power and clean up fallen trees and other debris.

This year has seen almost a thousand tornadoes. The first of which was reported near Galveston, Texas, on January 5.

So what do we know about the uptick in tornado frequency? What role, if any, climate change plays in all this?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.