March tornado drought in the U.S. comes to an end with tornadoes in Oklahoma and Arkansas

Thursday, March 26, 2015, 12:15 PM - One person is reported dead and dozens of mobile homes were destroyed as severe thunderstorms and unconfirmed tornadoes ripped through the U.S. Midwest Wednesday night, leaving a trail of destruction in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

One of the potential tornadoes hit Moore, Oklahoma. Local news station KOLR10 captured dramatic images of the severe weather.

At least one person was killed in Tulsa, Oklahoma after severe weather hit a mobile home park in the Sand Springs suburb.

Early damage reports also indicated a gymnastics building near Tulsa, OK, was leveled with 60 people inside, mostly children. All occupants managed to escape to safety.

In Moore, OK, a location devastated by an EF5 tornado in 2013 also reported damage, mainly to roofs and overturned vehicles on the interstate.

As of Wednesday night an estimated 75,000 people across Oklahoma remain without power, and multiple homes and cars are reported to be damaged by the storms.

TORNADO DROUGHT COMES TO AN END

The severe weather comes after weeks of no tornadic activity across the U.S.

By March 23, 2015 only 28 tornadoes had occurred in the U.S. since New Year's Day, a record low compared to the 100-plus twisters that would have occurred by this time in previous years.

Experts believe the record-breaking cold across the country could be contributing to the lack in activity.

"Persistent arctic outbreaks from the Canadian Arctic prevented warm, moist air from moving into the United States from the Gulf of Mexico," writes Weather Network UK meteorologist Chris Burton.

"An unstable atmosphere and warm, moist air are the perfect conditions for severe thunderstorms to occur, from which tornadoes can form."

Tornadic activity is likely to increase as warmer weather moves in during April and May.

Tornado season has been relatively quiet state-side for the past couple of years, but meteorologists predict 2015 will bring more activity than previous years.

Source: Weather.com