Scientists at Stanford University predict that more severe thunderstorms, which can spawn tornadoes, will affect the United States in coming decades. Published on June 4, 2014 in Property damage from extreme weather events expected to increaseFull resolution (500 × 335) Scientists at Stanford University predict that more severe thunderstorms, which can spawn tornadoes, will affect the United States in coming decades. Scientists at Stanford University predict that more severe thunderstorms, which can spawn tornadoes, will affect the United States in coming decades.