Uptick in Severe Storms Imminent After Unusually Slow Start to Season

Due to the continuous onset of cold, drier air that's been keeping southern moisture at bay, the month of March has seen no severe thunderstorm watches issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center through the middle of the month, something that has never happened in the center's 45-year history.

"We are in uncharted territory with respect to lack of severe weather," SPC's Warning Coordination Meteorologist Greg Carbin said in a March 17press release. "This has never happened in the record of SPC watches dating back to 1970."

According to the SPC, the center has issued only four tornado watches and zero severe thunderstorm watches from the beginning of 2015 to March 17.

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