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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - With recent severe storms, you may be wondering how this year compares to others.

Spring in the Mid-south is traditionally known as severe weather season. Each year differs in how active the season is, but it just takes one severe weather outbreak to make it a bad season.

The tornado outbreak we had back on May 8 was the first time the atmosphere showed its true fury this year in our area. Outside of that, it had been a quiet Spring.

Over 30 tornado warnings have been issued for Middle Tennessee so far this year.(wsmv)

Through May 5, 2024, we hadn’t had a single tornado warning. That changed with two severe weather days, back to back, the week of May 8, generating 36 tornado warnings. At least six tornadoes were confirmed across the Mid State.

Once again, all it takes is one big event to make it a bad season.

As far as Severe Thunderstorm Warnings go, it had also been pretty quiet until the week of May 8. Several handfuls of warnings were issued as a severe weather outbreak gripped the Mid State.

Several handfuls of severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Middle Tennessee so far... — Several handfuls of severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Middle Tennessee so far this Spring.(wsmv)

When it comes to severe weather, not only is property threatened, but life is threatened as well. Every year there are severe weather-related casualties from tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, etc.

With a warming atmosphere, costly severe weather outbreaks are growing in number and the frequency of costly outbreaks is growing as well. A study by Climate Central reveals those trends.

In recent history, there has been a significant increase in billion-dollar severe storms.(Climate Central)

According to Climate Central, severe storms account for nearly half of all U.S. billion-dollar weather disasters since 1980. During the period of 2001 to 2022, the U.S. experienced six times more billion-dollar severe storms.