Above Average Number of Tornadoes Predicted for this Year

Tornado season could be busy this year if one site's predictions come true.

According to meteorologists at AccuWeather.com, warmer than normal water in the Gulf of Mexico may contribute to a busier than usual storm season coming up in 2012, although that may be more true to the East than in Iowa.

"Areas that seemed to miss out on frequent severe weather last year may see an uptick this year," AccuWeather.com Exert Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said regarding the difference in pattern.

The mid-Mississippi and upper Ohio valleys are among the zones that may get hit more frequently by severe weather this year. Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan are included in this zone.

A little bit too close to us for comfort.

2011 was also an unusually deadly storm year. There were 1,709 tornadoes in 2011, compared to 1,300 tornadoes in a normal year, according to the site.

Of course, these advance predictions should be taken with a grain of salt. According to the Iowa State Climatologist, this winter was predicted to be colder and wetter than average. That obviously did not happen.