A Climatology of Tropical Tornadoes Over Puerto Rico

Since the 1950s, over 25 tornado events have been documented on the island of Puerto Rico, with most classified as EF0 or EF1. However, due to the Doppler radar's elevation at 1,700 feet (0.5 km), critical data below 1 km is not captured, making it challenging for forecasters to detect tornado signatures and reducing the available lead time for warnings. This research aims to conduct a climatological analysis of 15 confirmed tornado cases, focusing on identifying recurring synoptic, mesoscale, and microscale patterns. Specifically, the study explores the roles of key meteorological variables, such as tropical upper-tropospheric troughs (TUTTs), surface low-pressure systems, southerly flow, moisture surges, topography, and sea breeze convergence, which are significant in storm development over Puerto Rico. Trends suggest that the bulk of tornadoes reported tend to be concentrated in the northwestern part of the island. By further analyzing these atmospheric tendencies, this research intends to enhance tornado forecasting capabilities, ultimately improving early warning systems and reducing the threat to Puerto Rico's vulnerable population.