North Carolina averages fewer than 20 tornadoes per year, many of them produced by hurricanes or tropical storms along the coastal plain. Tornadoes from thunderstorms are a risk, especially in the eastern part of the state. The western Piedmont is often protected by the mountains, which tend to break up storms as they try to cross over; the storms will often re-form farther east. Also a weather phenomenon known as "cold air damming" often occurs in the northwestern part of the state, which can also weaken storms but can also lead to major ice events in winter. COUNT 5
QSN1 How many tornadoes does North Carolina have per year? ANS1 fewer than 20 QSN2 Houuricanes and tropical stors can produce what across the coastal plain? ANS2 tornadoes QSN3 What part of the state holds the highest risk for tornadoes? ANS3 eastern QSN4 What protects the western piedmont from tornadoes? ANS4 mountains QSN5 What weather phenomenom can weaken storms but cause major ice events in NW North Carolina? ANS5 cold air damming