Hutchinson ? While much of the South has been hammered by tornadoes this spring, it’s been unusually quiet in Kansas.

The National Weather Service says no tornadoes hit Kansas during the first two weeks of May — the first time that’s happened in nearly 30 years.

Kansas reported no tornadoes by May 17 only in 1980, 1984 and 2011.

The Hutchinson News reported Tuesday that Kansas typically sees an average of more than 15 tornadoes in the first two weeks of May.

The state also averages more than 43 tornadoes between January and May but has recorded only eight so far this year. That included two in February and six in April.

Meteorologist Chance Hayes says Kansas has benefited from an atmospheric pattern that has not spawned tornadoes.