Dixie Alley living up to its deadly reputation for twisters

BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) — The part of the South known for deadly tornadoes — "Dixie Alley" — is continuing to live up to its name.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports that recent research has found that tornadoes are occurring more frequently in the region than in part of the Great Plains which has been known as "Tornado Alley."

Northern Illinois University professor Victor Gensini found that twisters are occurring more frequently in "Dixie Alley." It includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.

The newspaper reports that the cause of the shift is unknown, though some theories focus on climate change. Some scientists believe climate change is responsible for more arid Midwest conditions, which in turn halts moisture-dependent storm fronts from developing until further east.

___

Information from: Montgomery Advertiser, http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com