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Is Tennessee seeing more tornadoes? Yes, but it's complicated

National Weather Service

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Mike Osborne)  --  If it seems like you’re hearing more tornado watches, warnings and sirens, you’re not wrong.

The insurance trade publication Insurancenewsnet quotes a federal study indicating the number of tornados reported in Tennessee increased 36 percent over the last decade.

However, the study goes on to note that advances in weather radar and the growth of cell phones and social media use likely means tornados that used to go unreported are now being counted.

Still, the study notes a clear shift southward in what’s traditionally been called “tornado alley”.  The report says Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia are all seeing more twisters.