Deadly and destructive thunderstorms -- and the violent tornadoes they produce – are forecast to see a “robust” increase across parts of the U.S. in upcoming decades because of climate change, says a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Severe springtime thunderstorms could increase by as much as 40 percent across the eastern U.S. (roughly from the Rockies to the Atlantic) by the end of the century, says lead author Noah Diffenbaugh of Stanford University.

The study is one of the first that’s found such a link between climate change and severe storms. Most previous research has been inconclusive.

In recent years, severe storms and tornadoes have produced more destruction than any other weather phenomena and are typically one of the main causes of catastrophic losses in the U.S. Of the 11 weather disasters in 2012 that led to at least $1 billion in damages, seven were caused by severe thunderstorms and tornadoes..

In addition to spring, the study also predicts an increase in storm days in winter and fall as well.

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