Ask the Memphian: No, the bluffs do not protect us from tornadoes
A line of severe storms cross the Mississippi River in Memphis passing by the Memphis Pyramid on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. The dark formation was reported a few minutes earlier as a tornado in West Memphis. (Lance Murphey/AP file)
Earlier this year, an amateur meteorologist posted an image of Memphis tornado activity in 2024 that seemed to show that the city hasn’t been overly troubled by tornado danger, as if it is somehow protected by a charm.
It didn’t take long for other social media accounts to share that post and for local weather nerds to chime in, referencing the common belief that Memphis is protected from severe tornados by the riverfront’s bluffs as well as a “tornado dome” generated by all of the heat a city generates.
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tornadoes National Weather Service MemphisWeather.net Subscriber Only Ask the MemphianWill you help us reach more Memphians with quality, in-depth local news?
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Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
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