Strong El Nino raises concerns about severe storms, tornadoes in Central Florida this winter

Central Florida is typically much drier during the winter months, but a strengthening El Nino could change that pattern this season, increasing the potential for heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and even tornadoes.The possibility is getting extra attention because two of the deadliest tornado outbreaks in Florida history happened during strong El Nino winters.On Feb. 2, 2007, tornadoes tore across Central Florida in the middle of the night during the deadly Groundhog Day outbreak. Twenty-one people were killed in Lake County, including entire families. Victims ranged in age from 7 to 92.Just nine years earlier, in February 1998, another devastating tornado outbreak killed 42 people and injured more than 260 across Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties.Both outbreaks occurred during strong El Nino winters, raising questions about what a potentially powerful El Nino could mean for Florida this season.El Nino, Spanish for “the boy,” develops when ocean temperature