April 16th, 2006 Illinois Easter Tornado Outbreak (click on)
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. The National Weather Service says Illinois has again set a record for tornadoes.The 126 tornadoes so far this year are six more than the state record set just three years ago. And this year's tornado total dwarfs the 19 that hit the Land of Lincoln just last year.
The weather service says this year's tornadoes were blamed in just one death, compared with none last year and nine in 2004.
Weather experts downplayed the possibility that global warming played a role in this year's record number. They say better detection -- not climate change -- may explain the increase.
Meteorologist Chris Miller also says mild winter weather in January and February, along with a vigorous storm track over Illinois early in the spring, played key roles in the active tornado season statewide.
