The Tor:con index is basically a glorified version of the tornado forecasting that the SPC comes out with each day. Just another marketing technique NBC has up their sleeves.
Let me make this very simple: everything is not NBC's fault. And go figure - you're completely wrong about the Tor:Con Index - Dr. Forbes came up with it himself. He's said it numerous times on air and online on the weather.com live chats.
I'm glad you said this Tyler...I remember watching a segment on weather.com saying that HE came up with it.
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And Dr. Forbes is certainly not one to lie about something like that.
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I didn't realize it debuted last year, though, either.
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They must not have used it a lot or something, especially since it seems to be explained a lot this year.