The mountains tend to interfere. First, they block moisture coming in necessary to fuel tornadic thunderstorms, called the rain shadow effect. The mountains themselves may even interfere with the tornado-producing mechanisms within a storm. Additionally, on the west coast the winds come off the Pacific Ocean, which has a cold ocean current off the west coast. Not only does cold water provide less moisture to fuel storms, but it also tends to stabilize that atmosphere, while thunderstorms require an unstable atmosphere to form.
East of the Rockies the warm Gulf of Mexico provides the necessary moisture.
Tornadoes do NOT only occur at 3pm or 9pm. Tornadoes can occur at any time of the day or night, but MOST tornadoes come in late afternoon or evening at the hottest times of the day.
Tornadoes do not occur in polar regions, such as Antarctica, or in extreme desert areas such as the Atacama.
Yes. Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the US.
Tornadoes are least likely to occur in a polar climate.
About 1% of thunderstorms produce tornadoes.
Yes. West Virginia has had tornadoes as strong as F3.
Yes. Tornadoes are not uncommon in the midwest.
The region is known as Tornado Alley.
Most tornadoes occur in spring.
Tornadoes occur in about 1% of thunderstorms.
Tornadoes occur during severe thunderstorms.
Yes, tornadoes can occur in Hawaii, but they are very rare.
Yes. Tornadoes occur in both hemispheres.
Yes. Tornadoes can occur at any time of year.
Yes. Tornadoes can occur in Beverly Hills.
Yes. Tornadoes can occur at any time of day or night.
Tornadoes are most common in a temperate climate but can occur in the tropics.