Two private weather companies predict the spring of 2012 to be more severe than last year, one of the deadliest on record.

Accuweather.com and Telvent DTN are reporting that conditions are ripe for a stormier than usual spring -- possibly with more tornadoes.

Last year was one of the costliest and deadliest severe weather seasons in the U.S. More than 500 people died in tornadoes.
There were 1,709 tornadoes in 2011, falling short of the record 1,817 tornadoes set in 2004.
According to Accuweather's report, 20-12 could follow suit.

Here's why:
The report says warmer than normal waters in the gulf of Mexico are set to send warm moist air north. That could clash with the cold air from the north and dry desert air from the southwest.
And it's a La Nina year which typically sends storm systems through the nation's mid section or "Tornado Alley".

10/11 Meteorologist Brad Anderson says its really too soon to say though.

"We should always prepare for severe weather in Nebraska because it is a fact of life it's going to happen. Some years are less than others but some years we could have more," he said.

Accuweather predicted that Nebraska could end up with a more typical tornado season.