Temporal and spatial analysis of tornado events in Turkey (2000-2020)

In recent years, together with global climate change, extreme weather and climate events pose a significant risk for all people. Tornadoes are one of the severe weather events that occur in a very short time and cause serious loss of life and property in many parts of the world. In Turkey, there has been a significant increase in their numbers in recent years. In our study, tornado data from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) between the years 2000-2020 in Turkey were obtained. A total of 520 tornado events took place in 21 years. This study, in which these hoses are examined in many ways, generally consists of three parts. Accordingly, when statistical analyzes of temporal and spatial changes are made, tornadoes do not show a regular distribution throughout the country. In this process, a total of 245 tornado events took place in the Mediterranean Region, it ranks first among the regions. In addition, the months and seasons in which the tornadoes occur vary according to the regions. In the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, in late autumn and winter; Summer and early autumn months in the Marmara and Black Sea regions; In the inner regions, a tornado generally occurred in late spring and early summer. In the second part of the study, the tornadoes are classified as sea, coastal and land areas according to the areas they are effective. Tornadoes occurring in sea and coastal areas constitute 39% of the total number, and land area has a share of 22%. The seasons when tornadoes are effective in each area are different. In the sea area; summer-autumn, in the coastal area; autumn-winter, in the land area spring-summer. In the last stage, the meteorological data of 520 tornado events and 408 tornado days were examined and manually; It is divided into 3 synoptic types as Sharp Groove, Flat Groove and Closed System. Accordingly, 48% of the total number of hoses was in sharp grooves, 29% in closed system and 23% in flat grooves. As a result, determining the seasonal and geographic distributions of tornadoes, identifying the synoptic patterns specific to tornado events in Turkey and their threat levels provide forecasters with a good idea of when and where to look for tornado development. Predicting the meteorological conditions that come together for tornado formation can prevent loss of life and property. Keywords: Extreme Weather Event, Tornado, Temporal and Spatial Analysis, Synoptic Pattern, Turkey.