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This, and other strong tornadoes in New England, have inspired research into the relationship between tornadogenesis and local terrain. Meteorologists found that the north-south orientation of the Hudson and Housatonic valleys, which Great Barrington is in between, increase lower level wind shear when the surface wind is southerly. This increasing increases the likelihood of tornadoes forming in a local "Hot Spot" extending from Hudson valley, NY to Berkshire County, MA and Litchfield County, CT. (Local Tornado Hot Spot)
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