Today in History revisits the Saturday, December 5, 1885 edition of the Grand Forks Herald and highlights a story on tornado research. Lt. John P. Finley's Signal Corps research was advancing the scientific understanding of tornadoes, leading to early warning predictions. He noted that tornadoes are distinct from other storms, typically move southwest to northeast, and occur mainly in the Central US from April to August. Finley advised those in at-risk areas to seek underground shelter upon seeing storm signs and suggested insurance for property. The work aims to refine a map showing the average tornado risk by locality.

The phenomena of tornadoes, to the scientific study of which Lieut. John P. Finley, of the Signal Corps, has devoted about eight years, are now so well understood as to w

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