Another factor that influences morbidity and mortality from a tornado is the time of day that it occurs. For example, in 1947, in Compton, Kansas, 78 people were killed by a tornado that struck at night without warning (2). Tornadoes that occur at night, when people are sleeping, are more dangerous because people are less likely to hear any warnings. Another factor that can contribute to morbidity and mortality is adverse weather conditions such as hail or rain that obscure the presence of tornadoes, making their detection by weather spotters more difficult.